A Narre Warren man is keen to get plenty of stamps in his new passport – once Australia’s borders open – after finally claiming his $23 million Powerball division one prize five days after the draw.
He held the only division one winning entry across Australia in Powerball draw 1249, drawn Thursday 23 April, scoring the division one prize of $23,686,120.08.
The multi-million-dollar winning entry was not registered to a Tatts Card, which meant officials from the Lott had no way of contacting the winner to break the incredible news.
When an official from the Lott confirmed the life-changing news with the winner on Tuesday 28 April after he revealed he had just checked his ticket after ducking out to pick up some lunch.
“You’re joking! That’s unbelievable! You’ve got to be kidding me!” he exclaimed.
“This just can’t be right. I didn’t expect this news. When I scanned the ticket and they told me they couldn’t pay it in the store I thought it was because it had been cancelled – not that I had won $23 million.
“I guess I can buy more than a couple of bread rolls for lunch! “I buy an entry every week and I only ever check my tickets when I put the next entry on but I’ve been a bit out of routine at the moment. “It’s just unbelievable. I still can’t get my head around that this news is real. “I’m sitting in my car shaking. I think I’ll have to sit here for a while to calm down before I drive home.”
When asked how he planned to enjoy his new multi-millionaire lifestyle, the shocked but happy winner confessed he would be enjoying his imminent retirement by travelling the world when he could.
“Well I am still working because I haven’t been able to afford to retire up until now but it’s safe to say that retirement will be on the cards!” he declared.
“I have never been outside of Australia but have always wanted to go. In fact, I finally had a trip booked this year but it got cancelled due to coronavirus.
“I was so disappointed. I said to my family ‘I’ll be stuck here for the rest of my days’, but it’s looking like that won’t happen now. “As soon as the travel bans are lifted we’ll be taking a family holiday overseas.
“My family have been really affected by the coronavirus so it will be awesome to know we will be ok.”
The winning entry was purchased at Casey News and Lotto at Casey Central Shopping Centre in Narre Warren South.
Casey News and Lotto owner Agnello D’souza said he was thrilled the winner had discovered their life-changing win.
“We are so happy the winner has been united with their prize!” he exclaimed.
“It’s created a real buzz in store and I can’t wait to tell all of our customers it has been claimed.
“Congratulations to our winner – we wish him all the best with his prize!”
The winning numbers were 32, 35, 3, 18, 7, 6 and 14. The all-important Powerball number was 2.
