A woman from Geelong has been left speechless after discovering she is the recipient of an almost $5 million lotto top prize - a $20,000 monthly prize for the next 20 years in the Set for Life lottery. The winner was the sole division one winner in the Set for Life draw 3096, which took place on Saturday, 27 January 2024.
She is set to receive a total of $4.8 million, distributed in monthly installments of $20,000 over two decades.
The long-time player started her morning pondering back and forth if the winning news was true after she missed multiple calls from lottery officials attempting to reach her about the win.
“What a surprise!” she laughed.
“I listened back to the voicemail you had left when I missed your calls and I started to frantically look for the ticket to see if it was true.
“I couldn’t believe it was me that had won. You always hope you’ll win division one but never expect for it to happen.
“I kept saying, ‘It’s me?’ I’ve won?!’
“I wondered if it was a hoax or a scam. There was a lot of thoughts going through my head.
“I’ve been playing lotteries for three decades – different games. The most I’ve ever won is $2,000 in Oz Lotto about 20 years ago. This is certainly next level.
“It’s unbelievable - a great way to start 2024.”
With an annuity prize about to land into her account every month for the next two decades, the victorious Victorian was too stunned to make any concrete plans but knew it would go to good use.
“A lot of people say they would buy a car or go on a holiday if they were to win the lottery, but I honestly don’t know what I’d do yet,” she said.
“I’ve never been the type of person to celebrate myself or have any plans. I’m retired now, and it will be a huge boost.
“Whatever it goes to, I know it will be spent wisely.”
Her winning 3-game QuickPick was purchased at Geelong Lotto Pty Ltd, Shop 1180, Westfield Geelong, 95 Malop Street, Geelong.
Geelong Lotto Pty Ltd manager Caitlin Rollinson said her team couldn’t believe their eyes when they found out they’d sold a division one winning entry in Set for Life on the weekend.
“We have been waiting nine years to sell a division one winning entry and now that dream has finally come true. It’s so wonderful, especially leading into the $200 million Powerball draw,” she said.
“This is our first division one winning entry and there’s no doubt it will be the start to a winning streak for us!
“I rushed out before we opened our doors this morning and got all of our balloons and posters printed to create a real buzz.
“Customer’s reactions so far have been very positive, with lots of people congratulating us on selling a division one winning entry.
“Hopefully we can continue the luck and make someone else’s dream come true this Thursday night with the record-breaking Powerball jackpot.”
The winning numbers in Set for Life draw 3097 on Sunday 28 January 2024 were 43, 33, 29, 34, 1, 7 and 17, while the supplementary numbers were 9 and 13.
