Ten days after her winning numbers were drawn, a Tamworth woman has realised she’s the new millionaire everyone’s been talking about.
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The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she’d heard there had been a big Saturday Lotto win in the region, but “didn’t think it was me”.
Speaking to a NSW Lotteries official this morning, the Tamworth resident recounted the moment she discovered she was the winner of $1.3 million.
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“I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night, I was too excited!” she said.
“I knew they were looking for someone, but I didn’t think it was me.
“I just walked in to check my usual entries and the bloke said, ‘That was it, they’ve been looking for you!’
“It’s unbelievable.”
That “bloke” was Dean Finlay, who owns Memories Newsagency, where the ticket was bought, and Shoppingworld Newsagency, where the prize was claimed.
He was working at the latter yesterday when the woman came in to check her ticket, unaware she had the winning numbers.
“She had no idea that she won,” Mr Finlay said.
“She was very excited, very surprised and in a bit of shock – but very deserving.
“I was in a bit of shock myself, to tell the truth.”
The regular player said she’d already begun celebrating her windfall with her family and knew exactly what she wanted to do with it.
“Mate, I think I’m going to retire, because I’m getting up to retirement age anyway,” she said.
“I’ve worked for the past 40 years, so I reckon that’s enough.
“I’ll also help my children out.
“It’s life-changing; it’s going to be a great life.”
Memories Newsagency staff member Cathy Hobson said she was thrilled the winner had been united with her prize.
“It’s just wonderful news,” she said.
“We’ve had so many people coming in and checking their ticket hoping it was them.
“Hopefully we’ll sell another division one winning ticket soon.”
The woman bought her winning 18-game QuickPick entry at Memories Newsagency in Tamworth Square.
She was one of 15 people to have the winning numbers for the March 24 Saturday Lotto $20 Million Superdraw.
The winning entry was not registered to a Players Club card, so NSW Lotteries officials had no way of contacting the winner to break the life-changing news.