Bizarre reason winner of $60million Oz Lotto jackpot hung up on officials – as couple say they won’t keep all the cash
A VICTORIAN woman is $60million richer after winning this week’s Powerball – but it was some time before she realised.
The Lott struggled to get a hold of the lucky Aussie because she wouldn’t answer her phone.
The woman, a recent retiree from Daylesford, revealed her husband answered a call from the lottery office but hung up while “in a frenzy”.
It was not until she checked her ticket online that she learned she had won Australia’s second biggest jackpot of the year.
She later told lottery officials: “I’m in a bit of shock at the moment. Oh my god! I can’t believe this is happening.
“My husband is walking around dumbfounded.”
The winner, who based her numbers on the birthdays of close friends and family, said she had no intention of keeping all of the money to herself.
She explained: “I think a lot of charities might benefit, especially those that help disadvantaged children.
“This prize will help a lot of people out.
“It’s my main goal.”
The winning numbers in Thursday’s Powerball draw were 3, 4, 8, 11, 14, 19, 22, and the Powerball was 5.
Seven division two winners took home $155,000 each.
The Lott’s Anna Hobdell said the lucky winner would see the cash in her bank before the end of the month, which would “undoubtedly set the family up for a magical Christmas season”.
Ms Hobdell continued: “Our Powerball winners have described their division one win as a beacon of hope and positivity, which has drawn them closer to their life-long dreams and long-held aspirations, whether they’re big or small.”
The country’s biggest winner of 2023 to date remains the Bankstown dad who won $100million in a June Powerball draw.
He revealed at the time he only wanted to continue with his usual routine of waking up and going to work – and buy his family a brand new home.
Last month, a Lotto winner became a millionaire without knowing it.
The golden ticket was purchased at Penney’s Paper Shop in Canberra, where owner James Penney was “eagerly waiting” for the mystery person to come forward.
Mr Penney said: “A big congratulations to our latest mystery division one winner and we hope it goes a long way for their family.
“We hope we’re able to share the winning news with them soon!”
Meanwhile, a lucky Victorian dad said he planned to retire “straight away” after winning $2.5million in a TattsLotto draw.
The Aussie played most weeks but never expected to win, so delayed checking his ticket.
It was days before he discovered his fortune, exclaiming once he realised: “Oh my god, this is unbelievable!”