A self-proclaimed Ipswich “battler” has admitted he’s struggling to wrap his head around the fact he’s heading into the weekend a multi-millionaire after taking home almost $10 million in last night’s Powerball draw.
The Queenslander held the only division one winning entry in Powerball draw 1322, drawn Thursday 16 September 2021, and walks away with the entire jackpot prize of $9,929,133.09.
Confirming his win with an official from The Lott this afternoon, the winning man explained he’d just thought to check his ticket at his local pharmacy.
“Thank you very much!” he laughed with disbelief.
“After all these years, we have finally won. It is absolutely incredible!
“We’ve gone from being real battlers to having money. I can’t wrap my head around it.
“We never expected to win this much. It will change our lives in such a massive way.
“I am honestly really lost for words. I can hardly string a sentence together!”
When asked how he thought he might enjoy his win of almost $10 million, the family man didn’t hesitate before revealing his plan.
“We will finally be able to put into action the plan my wife and I have always had should we one day win the lottery!” he said.
“We will pay off the mortgage to begin with and be debt-free.
“I will work part-time instead of full time.
“I have always wanted to make some smart investments and of course, help our children.
“I will be able to pay off their mortgages in full! And when we can, we will travel around the country.
“It will make a big change. The reality of it all really hasn’t sunk in!”
His life-changing 12-game QuickPick entry was purchased at Foote’s Pharmacy Leichhardt, Shop 4-5, 9 Old Toowoomba Road, Leichhardt.
Foote’s Pharmacy Leichhardt manager John McGraw said it was the first division one winning entry his outlet had sold.
“This has really made our day!” he said.
“It couldn’t have gone to a better person! It’s amazing knowing this incredible prize has gone to one of our local and regular customers.
“It is such exciting news not just for us, but for the entire community. It’s all everyone is talking about. There is such a buzz. It is a massive boost for the area.
“Congratulations to him! We really hope he enjoys his prize.”
The winning numbers in Powerball draw 1322 on Thursday 16 September 2021 were 1, 30, 9, 32, 8, 31, and 22. The all-important Powerball number was 9.
Across Australia, there was one division one winning entry in Powerball draw 1322 – the entry from Queensland.
The Lott’s division one winning tally has now reached 324 so far this calendar year, including 81 won by Golden Casket customers.
In the 12 months to 30 June 2021, 17 Powerball division one winners across Australia pocketed more than $519.8 million in prize money.
During this time, Powerball twice offered an $80 million jackpot – the biggest prize offered by any Australian lottery game.
Of the 17 Powerball division one winning entries in FY21, 10 landed in New South Wales, five in Queensland and two in Victoria.