Man's surprising choice after $50 million Powerball win
The search for Australia's latest multi-millionaire has ended after a man from North Queensland checked his Powerball ticket and discovered he had won the division-one prize of $50 million.
The Lott officials had been trying to track down the Powerball winner since Thursday, with the excited Mackay man explaining he bought the ticket on a whim, put it in his wallet and never expected to win.
“I heard someone in Mackay had won, but of course I never thought it could be me," the mystery multi-millionaire told The Lott on Monday.
“I checked my ticket on the app yesterday and my mind went blank."
The Mackay resident held the only division-one winning entry in Powerball draw 1292 on Thursday, pocketing the biggest Australian lottery prize so far in 2021 – $50 million.
The overwhelmed man told The Lott he had always dreamed of winning the lottery, but reality hadn't quite set in that he was a winner.
"My brain is going at a million miles an hour," he said.
When asked how he plans to enjoy his new fortune, the Mackay man said he wouldn't be quitting his job just yet.
“I’ll still be showing up to work this week, but I don’t know if I will keep working," he said.
Although he hasn't made any concrete plans for his new life, there was one thing the man said he would be using some of the money for.
“I’ll be taking care of my parents, I know that much at least. I will be making sure of that. But I know I’ll share my prize with my immediate family, then I’ll see where it goes from there," the humble man said.
“I know this is a big life-changing thing. I have a lot of big decisions to make but I will take some time to wrap my head around everything."
The winning entry was purchased from News Central at Northern Beaches Central in Mackay where owner Louis Pastega said he was happy the winner had come forward.
“We’re so happy to hear the winner now knows he’s $50 million richer and it’s great to know it’s gone to a local," Mr Pastega said.
The winning numbers in Powerball draw 1292 on Thursday 18 February 2021 were 13, 25, 30, 3, 19, 16 and 22. The all-important Powerball number was 10.
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