Lotto winners share massive jackpot
A Wavell Heights woman has described her $1.67 million win as a 'ticket to freedom,' declaring her future transformed after securing one of the four division one prizes in Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4597.
'I'm trying to just not be too excited … just in case,' she laughed when speaking about her life-changing win,' she said.
'I checked the ticket at the newsagent and they looked at it like, 'we think you've won a fair bit of money'.
'So, I came home and checked the ticket online. I thought, 'Oh! This is exciting!''
'I always play Saturday Gold Lotto and I won $400 recently. I thought that was the best thing ever, but this is even better. A Warwick mum's last-minute Lotto ticket wins $1.6 million, turning a near miss into a life-changing moment. NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia
She said she will be able to pay off her mortgage with the money.
'When I see the home loan disappear completely, I will be partying. It will be like I'm working for myself after that,' she said.
Her winning entry was purchased at Nextra Aspley Village, Robinson Rd Marketplace, Aspley.
Nextra Aspley Village owner Dan Beutel welcomed the news and said the win was great for the region.
'As we've been here for 23 years, we know many of our customers personally and we know they'll be very happy for us and the lucky winner,' he said.
'This is our fourth division one win during our time. The last time we sold a division one winning entry was in November 2023, so it's fantastic to see another one. It's great news for Aspley and we'll be letting everyone know.
'Congratulations to our winner and may the win bring joy to them and their family.' Three of the four winners are from Queensland. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia
At the same time, a Warwick mother has claimed her life-changing $1.6 million prize after nearly skipping the ticket purchase altogether.
The Warwick resident held one of the four division one winning entries on Saturday.
When an official from The Lott confirmed the prize, the winning mum was still stunned, with her son by her side, recounting how they discovered her win.
'Thank you. We feel a bit odd, but it's bloody terrific!' the winning son laughed.
'We've just been quite emotional. Even hearing you confirm the good news is crazy. We're slowly realising it's a reality.
'It'll set my mum up completely. She's everything, and she's so deserving of this. It'll give her breathing room, and she can do some things she's always dreamt of.
'She asked me to check the ticket through my app, and I couldn't believe it. I just started screaming and crying for her! She wasn't even going to buy a ticket this week, but changed her mind Saturday morning.
'We've just been in limbo since then, and of course, we've put the ticket straight in a safe.'
The winning mum said they were still 'pinching' themselves.
'We've had to make a few changes in the last few years with different life challenges, so it'll come in handy,' she said.
'First thing I'll do is pay the rates early.' A Wavell Heights woman has described her $1.67 million win as a 'ticket to freedom'. NewsWire/ David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia
Hynes Newsagency owner Peter Hynes said he was thrilled to hear his outlet had sold a division one winning ticket to a local.
'It's always an honour to sell a division one winning ticket and to know we've played a small part in someone's life-changing moment,' he said.
'Customers always love to hear we've had a win, and it helps restore their faith that locals do win.
'It was just in October that we last sold a division one prize in Saturday Lotto. We are in our 50th year of owning the newsagency and have sold many winners during this time.
'Congratulations to our winning customer. It's a life-changing amount, and we couldn't be happier for you.'
Across Australia, there were four division one winning entries in Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4597, three from Queensland and one from Victoria.
Meanwhile, the deadline to claim a life-changing lottery prize ends tonight, but 'sadly no one has come forward,' a Lott spokesman told NewsWire.
The Saturday Gold Lotto player won just over $670,000 nearly seven years ago with a ticket purchased at a Helensvale newsagent, and with the claim period expiring, the prize money will be returned to players through community donations and promotions.
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