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A young person from the Land Down Under has appeared in court after reportedly vandalizing a sizable art piece of a mythical creature by applying googly eyes to it.

The 19-year-old, aged 19, appeared remotely at the local court in South Australia on that day, charged with one count of damaging property.

Officials commented at the moment of the recent event, the local council explained that CCTV footage showed a person putting artificial eyes on the artwork, which locals have dubbed the “Cast in Blue”.

Ms Vanderhorst did not enter a plea and told the judge she was unwell, according to media sources, with the judge recommending her to secure a lawyer before her upcoming hearing in the final month of the year.

A day after the alleged incident, the city leader said that repairs to the much-loved public artwork would be expensive as the adhesive eyes could not be detached without damaging the art piece.

“This wilful damage to a cherished public artwork is inappropriate and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor said in September. “It is not innocent amusement, it is pricey - it is also frustrating to those members of our society who have welcomed the Blue Blob.”

She said the council would pursue the “significant” repair costs from those accountable for the vandalism.

When the artwork was initially suggested, it received varied responses from the area residents due to its price tag and appearance.

Costing A$136,000 (eighty-nine thousand US dollars; £68,000), the sculpture depicts a mythical megafauna, with the creators inspired by an ancient marsupial ant-eater discovered in local caves that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.