A Townsville man plans to live his life by the sand and the sea after winning one of the top prizes of $5,000 a week for five years on a $15 Live the Life Platinum Instant Scratch-Its ticket.
The winning ticket was purchased from News on the Avenues, 85 Burnda Street, Kirwan.
Speaking to a Golden Casket official this morning to claim his prize, the happy man admitted it took him a while to believe he had won the enviable top prize.
“I bought it using the winnings from another Instant Scratch-Its ticket,” he said.
“I went back into the outlet straight away and said to the lady there ‘Can you please check this for me and tell me it’s real? I just can’t believe this!’
“I had to look at the ticket twice and pinch myself! I just couldn’t believe what was happening.
“I was very shocked at first – I had the shakes. I didn’t sleep last night – my mind was just ticking like crazy.
“I am one happy man!”
The Townsville man revealed his plans for his instant win, which involves buying a house and spending his days fishing.
“After winning I called my boss straight away and said that I had won some money and I wouldn’t be in tomorrow,” he laughed.
“I told him I was going to step back a bit and do some casual work instead. He was supportive though and happy for me!
“I want to buy myself a big boat and spend my days fishing and crabbing! That’s the life.
“It’ll be a big, fancy air-conditioned boat, that way I can spend all my days by the water.
“I also want to buy myself a house – one that I will live in for the rest of my life and then I will just take it easy for a while.
“Once I buy a house I will definitely have a house warming party to celebrate my win and the house!”
There is still one top prize and plenty of prizes across all tiers available on the $15 Live the Life Platinum Instant Scratch-Its ticket.
Last financial year, there were 158 Instant Scratch-Its top prize winners across the Lott’s jurisdictions who collectively took home more than $11.28 million.
It can happen in an instant. It could happen to you.