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A teenager from the Land Down Under has appeared in court after allegedly vandalizing a large art piece of a mythical creature by affixing googly eyes to it.

The 19-year-old, 19 years old, participated via phone at Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in the state of South Australia on Tuesday, facing with a single charge of damaging property.

Officials commented at the time of the September incident, the local council explained that CCTV footage captured a individual placing artificial eyes on the artwork, which residents have dubbed the “Cast in Blue”.

The accused made no plea and told the judge she was unwell, according to media sources, with the magistrate recommending her to secure a lawyer before her next court date in December.

The following day the reported event, the city leader stated that repairs to the popular community sculpture would be costly as the stickers were impossible to be removed without harming the art piece.

“This intentional vandalism to a cherished community art is inappropriate and disrespectful,” Mayor Lynette Martin said in mid-September. “It is not innocent amusement, it is costly - it is also disappointing to those members of our community who have welcomed Cast in Blue.”

She said the local government would pursue the “significant” restoration expenses from those accountable for the damage.

At the time the artwork was first proposed, it received mixed reactions from the local community due to its cost and appearance.

Priced at A$136,000 ($89,000; £68,000), the artwork depicts a legendary giant animal, with the creators influenced by an ancient anteater-like marsupial discovered in local caves that was “massive, lumbering and fascinating”.