A Gladstone woman says she’s still shaking and trying to get her head around what she’ll do with an extra $1,000 a week for the next five years after scratching one of the top prizes on a $5 Live the Life Instant Scratch-Its ticket.
The winning $5 Live the Life ticket was purchased at Alive Pharmacy Calliope, Shop 17, Calliope Shopping Centre, 2041 Dawson Highway, Calliope.
It’s the second Instant Scratch-Its top prize-winning ticket the outlet has sold during the past three months.
Confirming her win with a Golden Casket official this morning, the Central Queensland woman recounted the moment she discovered her life-changing early Christmas treat.
“Thank you so much!” she exclaimed.
“It’s an incredible prize. It’s absolutely surreal.
“I won $5 on a scratchie a couple of weeks ago, so I went to the newsagency to get another scratchie with the winnings.
“I’d never played a Live the Life ticket before so I decided to give it a go and I’m so glad I did!
“It was an amazing feeling. I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t!”
When asked how she would enjoy her ongoing prize, the woman revealed she looked forward to being worry-free in 2020 and beyond.
“I couldn’t think of a better time of year to win this amazing prize!” she exclaimed.
“I’ll pay a few bills and go for a bit of a shopping spree, which will be such a treat.
“To have an extra $1,000 a week is going to make a huge difference in my life.
“It’s going to seriously take the pressure off. It’s a great feeling!”
Alive Pharmacy Calliope manager Clare Stone said she was celebrating as if she had won the prize herself.
“It couldn’t have gone to a nicer person,” she said.
“It’s made us all feel like we’re Santa Claus. That’s what I love about lotteries, it’s so nice to see how it makes a difference to someone.
“And to win at this time of year is the icing on the cake.
“It’s pretty amazing that we’ve only been open since April and we’ve already sold a lottery division two prize and two Instant Scratch-Its top prizes. Who knows what will happen in 2020!”
Between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019, there were 118 Instant Scratch-Its top prize winners across the Lott’s jurisdictions who collectively took home more than $12.14 million in top prizes.
During this same time, Instant Scratch-Its players enjoyed more than 27.6 million wins across all prize tiers worth more than $214.2 million in top prizes.