28th June 2018
It was at the Whitsundays airport on their way back home that a Melbourne couple learnt they had won the division one Saturday Gold Lotto draw 3853 this week.
"We were just about to leave Hamilton Island when we heard there had been a win there,” the excited woman described.
"It was at that stage we started grabbing everything out of the suitcase. We were at Hamilton Island Airport and hoping like billy-o that it was us.
"Coming off the back of a wonderful holiday, this win is just the icing on the cake, I can tell you,” she said
The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, shared that it had been a bucket list dream to win the Lotto, "so we can tick that off now”.
Having had previous, smaller, wins while on holiday, the couple had had a good feeling about this entry.
"I just knew it. I knew it - even when he bought the ticket. I said to my husband 'you always do well with Lotto when we're away, why don't you go buy a ticket?'”, said the woman.
When asked how they plan to spend the winnings, the couple expressed a passion for the Whitsundays region.
"We would love to buy an apartment in the Whitsundays. It could be something that our family can enjoy for years to come,” they said.
"We all work hard and this would be a real acknowledgement of that win. We want whatever we do with the win to stand out and mean something.”
Nikki Phillips, owner of Trader Petes on Hamilton Island where the unregistered entry was purchased, shared her excitement over the win.
"How good is it? I am thrilled to bits. I have been saying that it is our turn to sell a division one ticket,” she said.
"We have so many mega yachts sitting outside, so now our winner can go and get one!
"We wish our winner all the very best with their prize.”