A prestigious Aboriginal artist has been left heartbroken and furious after a valuable painting she sent via Australia Post arrived at its destination as an empty tube just before Christmas.
A Devastating Discovery on Christmas Eve
Bobbi Lockyer, an award-winning Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyulnyul and Yawuru artist, spent over a hundred hours creating a custom canvas for a collector. Following instructions from a postal worker, she packed the $4,000 artwork in a protective sleeve and sent it via express post with tracking shortly before the holidays.
The intended recipient was expecting a special Christmas gift. Instead, on Christmas Eve, they received a cardboard tube that was empty and open. The painting had vanished during transit.
"It's heartbreaking," Lockyer stated. "She had all her family around for Christmas to be given an empty, open cardboard sleeve. This is devastating for not only my customer but myself as well."
A 'Cut and Paste' Response from Australia Post
Lockyer and her client immediately lodged complaints. The client's case was swiftly closed, with Australia Post reportedly claiming the item was not packaged properly—a claim Lockyer strongly disputes, as she followed staff guidance.
From her end, Lockyer persisted, providing invoices to prove the painting's value and repeatedly asking if there was a lost and found department. She describes receiving generic, "cut and paste" responses from the postal service.
"They said they could not offer compensation at this time, and that it was the sender's fault," Lockyer explained. "They keep closing the case, I keep opening it saying it's not resolved."
Search Continues Amid Compensation Questions
An Australia Post spokesperson confirmed they have apologised to Lockyer and that the search for the missing artwork is ongoing throughout their network. They acknowledged that in a network of their size, "things do occasionally go wrong."
The incident highlights the limitations of standard postal insurance. Under Australia Post's policies, most services only cover loss or damage up to $100. The company recommends customers purchase extra cover for items of higher value, like Lockyer's painting.
For Bobbi Lockyer, the loss is both emotional and financial, representing countless hours of creative work and a broken promise to a client. The search for the unique Aboriginal artwork continues, but hope is fading as the case remains unresolved.
