Ten years ago Kevin Rudd was Prime Minister of Australia, Flo Rida had a number one hit with “Low”, Heath Ledger tragically died and Lake Wendouree was bone dry.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It can be hard to believe a decade has passed, but that was the situation we faced 10 years ago when the jewel in Ballarat’s crown was hit hard by the devastating drought.
The water level at Lake Wendouree gradually dropped from about 2004 through to 2006 and from early 2007, you could walk from one end to the other.
Almost 10 years ago to the day, in January 2008, we saw lawn mowers on the southern side of the lake as artists Michael Shiell and Billy Blackall helped craft a giant platypus into the dry lake bed.
OUR FACEBOOK POST FROM LAST WEEK CERTAINLY TOOK PEOPLE BACK
In 2009 the unthinkable happened – Lake Wendouree caught fire. You can read more about that here.
Heavy rains in 2010 helped restore the water level and it has remained full ever since.
However, it did come with a hefty $5 million price tag.
Nowadays, the Lake is back to its full glory and the days of drought are only memories of the past.
Have a flick through the gallery above to re-live those dry days.