Mayor Craig Fletcher today unveiled a new name for Willow Island at Lake Wendouree – Yuille Island.

The name was suggested by eight year old Caitlyn Holding from Napoleons Primary School.

Ballarat Mayor Cr Craig Fletcher said the competition had been hotly contested and the final decision had been a difficult one to make.

“We were so impressed by the time and effort the students had obviously put into their entries. It’s been a fantastic learning opportunity for them”.

Around 60 people, including students, teachers, Councillors and members of Council’s Lake and Gardens Advisory Committee celebrated the unveiling with a barbeque lunch at the island today.

Caitlyn’s entry is below:

“I think that Willow Island should be called Yuille Island because in the Autumn of 1838 a young Scotsman, William Yuille, drove his flock of sheep to the shores of the swamp, which was first known as Black Swamp, because it of its dark, thick reeds. To the miners it was know as Yuilles Swamp. A story was told by the miners, that when William asked an aboriginal woman the name of the swamp, her reply was ‘Wendaaree’ which meant ‘go away’ William Yuille.”