Mona has made the lake his own in terms of his record-breaking runs around its perimeter over many years.

The 6km running track has been named in his honour and is pounded daily by those seeking to emulate his success - and by many others who enjoy its environs at a more leisurely pace.

Mona's love of the lake - his spiritual home, as he calls it - is well documented.

Like many others in our community, he despairs at its current state and has joined the growing list of people who would like to see it refilled.

He understands the economic and social implications of waiting for Mother Nature to fill it.

We suspect Mona would also take issue with claims made by some since the campaign was launched that filling the lake is pandering to the elite of Ballarat, particularly those who live around its shore.

Lake Wendouree has never been an asset only of importance to those who live nearby - and it never will be.

The lake is there for everyone to enjoy, no matter what part of Ballarat (or beyond) they live in, no matter what size their home or their income.

To say those behind the Fill the Lake campaign are driven by a vested interest is simply not true and bordering on the tall poppy syndrome.

If a full lake adds value to a home around Wendouree Pde, that is not a reason not to do it, given the benefits that flow to the rest of the city.

So what if some of the campaign's supporters live or work around the lake? There are many, many more who don't, yet still see the value in spending the money to fill it.

Lake Wendouree exists for all of us to enjoy and we all share the benefits it brings to the city.

In its simplest form, the tourism the lake generates means our motels employ staff. Those staff have their cars fixed at a local mechanic, send their children to local schools and shop in local supermarkets.

If we start taking the tourism dollars out (which is what the dry lake is doing) other dollars soon start to follow.

The lake is not about an elite few. Fill it up and everyone stands to gain. Leave it dry and we all lose.