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A young person from the Land Down Under has faced legal proceedings after reportedly vandalizing a large blue sculpture of a mythical creature by affixing googly eyes to it.

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

In a statement at the time of the September incident, the municipal authorities explained that CCTV footage captured a person placing fake eyes on the sculpture, which locals have dubbed the “Cast in Blue”.

The accused made no plea and told the judge she was ill, as reported by news outlets, with the judge recommending her to secure a legal representative before her upcoming hearing in December.

The following day the reported event, the city leader stated that restoration to the popular community sculpture would be costly as the adhesive eyes could not be detached without damaging the sculpture.

“This wilful damage to a cherished public artwork is inappropriate and disrespectful,” City of Mount Gambier mayor remarked in mid-September. “It is not innocent amusement, it is costly - it is also disappointing to those members of our community who have embraced Cast in Blue.”

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

At the time the sculpture was initially suggested, it drew varied responses from the local community due to its price tag and appearance.

Priced at A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000), the sculpture represents a mythical megafauna, with the creators influenced by an ancient marsupial ant-eater found in local caves that was “huge, slow-moving, and intriguing”.