Quick trip to Ballarat and always a pleasure to visit the lake.
There's an amusing story associated with the naming of the Lake. It is a shallow lake and was part of the squatter's run (10,000 acres) of 19-year old William Cross Yuille his cousin and was known as Black swamp and then Yuille's Swamp. It later provided water for the burgeoning gold rush settlement of Ballarat and the name was changed to Lake Wendouree
The story goes that 'Wendouree', unbeknownst to those who changed the name, is the Aboriginal word for 'go away' which was the response William Yuille received when he asked Aboriginal people the name of the Lake.
It has since become known as a venue for aquatic sports including for the 1956 Summer Olympics rowing and canoeing events. It is no longer part of Ballarat's water supply having been replaced by a series of dams and reservoirs.
Lake Wendouree has, at various times in its history been severely affected by drought including between 2006 and 2011, when it dried up completely. It is now partly replenished by recycled water and, in times of drought, has a further backup water supply from the Goulburn River.
@borof