As the State heats up for a $40 million Powerball jackpot tonight, a quiet couple from Middle Swan have fought back tears to collect their $1,002,760 Wednesday Lotto windfall from last week.
The ticket, bought online by the husband, was the fifth ticket he’d ever bought, having signed up as a Lotterywest member just four months ago.
The couple in their 40s, who both work in hospitality, had no idea the husband had been holding a million-dollar ticket in his online account, for over a week.
“I checked my ticket on a lunch break at work,” he said.
“I thought I’d won a few thousand but rang my wife to double check for me.”
The wife rang Lotterywest to confirm the prize, and her anticipation built when she was told they could only speak to her husband as the account holder, to share the news.
“I rang back in the morning and the lady on the phone told me it was over $1 million,” the husband said.
“I think I started laughing.”
The couple, said their new-found fortune will allow the husband to drop one of his two jobs, and allowed his wife to reduce to part-time work to care for their young family.
“We both work so hard. I’m just so grateful for this,” the wife said in tears.
“Sometimes we only see each other for half an hour a day – so this is a blessing.”
Lotterywest spokesperson Hermione Coleman said hearing the family say their prize allows them to spend more time together was a heart-warming moment.
“It never gets old to see that we’ve made the dreams of everyday Western Australians come to life.
“Over the five weeks Powerball has jackpotted, more than $6.7 million has been raised for WA, meaning Lotterywest can make thousands of other dreams come true - all through the hard work of the not-for-profit and community groups we support.
“When you play with Lotterywest, there’s a ripple effect that benefits the entire WA community.”
Tickets for tonight’s $40 million Powerball jackpot are available until 6pm tonight from Lotterywest retailers, online or via the app.
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Media Enquiries Jennie Fitzhardinge & Hermione Coleman: 9488 6227 / 0438 996 884
27 June 2019