Man reported after painting of Wally the galah stolen from Lyell McEwin Hospital, but picture still missing

A man has been reported after a beloved painting of Wally the galah was stolen from an Adelaide hospital – so where is it?

The 'Wally the Galah' painting, which was taken from Lyell McEwin Hospital. Picture: Supplied

A man will face court after a large painting was stolen from the Lyell McEwin Hospital last week, devastating staff.

The painting of Wally the galah – which was bought by cardiology staff for the unit’s patients and waiting room – was taken off the wall and stolen about 1pm on December 28.

A man wearing high vis stole the painting by former Adelaide artist Kelly Batsiokis, with CCTV capturing the man strapping the painting to the roof of his VZ Commodore and driving away.

After an investigation, police searched a Salisbury Heights home, where a 38-year-old man was reported for theft and possessing a prohibited weapon, after patrols allegedly located an extendable baton inside.

Ex-Adelaide artist Kelly Batsiokis.

The painting of Wally the galah, where it usually sits on the wall in the Lyell McEwin Hospital's cardiology unit.

However, police said the painting had not been found and urged anyone who knows where it is to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au.

The man will appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court at a later date.

Staff at the hospital were devastated by the theft.

Ms Batsiokis said the painting was not cheap, and the purchase was “an incredibly generous gesture for the staff and patients”.

Ms Batsiokis – who recently moved to Brisbane – said she was stunned by the “audacity” of the theft, and the painting had likely been bolted into the wall.

“It’s not so easy as just taking it off the wall,” she said.

“I have seen some footage – a male basically just walks into the hospital, unattached the painting, and walks out.

“I just don’t understand how somebody has the audacity to brazenly walk in, in broad daylight.”

The Northen Adelaide Local Health Network Director of Cardiology, Associate Professor Margaret Arstall said the theft had devastated cardiology staff.

She said the painting was purchased by the cardiology team from The Hospital Research Foundation in 2022.

“It made the waiting room in the Lyell McEwin Hospital a beautiful and stress-reducing place to be,” she said.

“We are working closely with the police and doing everything possible to aid their investigation. Someone out there knows what happened and where Wally is.”