Far from a curiosity, a dry Lake Wendouree has become a sad and sorry sight, one that we do not want to be representative of our beautiful city.

As one local says in this newspaper today - "The lake is like a mecca, a shrine, a place to congregate. By sitting back and doing nothing, we are selling our soul."

Yet it doesn't have to be this way. An investigation by The Courier has revealed that less than $1 million is all it would take to refill the lake.

That will seem like a lot of money to some, but when you consider that we are reportedly losing $8 million to $10 million a year because of its parlous state, it is hard to argue that it wouldn't be money well spent.

And we are in a better position now to buy and transport water than at any other time since the lake went dry.

If the State Government believes it has secured Victoria's (and Ballarat's) water supplies, then it must also believe that the water is available to fill the lake.

The community has already taken the initiative on this. Businessman Graham Wilkie has pledges of about $150,000 to put towards the purchase of water.

That's an astounding level of a support for a campaign that hasn't even been launched yet and gives a clear indication of the value the community puts on the lake.

But the community cannot - and should not - be expected to fund a refill alone. Governments at all three levels are in the best position to make this happen. But they won't unless the community demands it.

Our lake is too precious an icon for our city to let it thirst any longer.

It's time to fill it. Pledge your support and help make it happen.