A Shellharbour husband and wife say they will set their children up for life after claiming a whopping $23.3 million Powerball win.
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The couple, described as “battlers in their 40s” realised on Thursday night that their numbers had come in, winning them a one-third share of a $70 million first division prize.
They stayed awake through the night, talking about what they would do with the winnings.
“I’m ecstatic!” the winning husband told a NSW Lotteries spokeswoman, Friday.
“I haven’t slept a wink since I checked our Powerball ticket last night on the internet and discovered we’d won first division! I must admit I’ve been a bit of a mess ever since - I still can’t believe this!
“After we checked our ticket, my wife and I talked non-stop all night about what we can do with our prize money. We know we’ll upgrade the house, upgrade the boat, set the kids up for life and travel is definitely on the horizon for us. I’m also pretty sure I’ll quit work too!”
Jakob Bond was queuing behind the couple and their daughter when they confirmed their win at Oak Flats newsagency, about 7.45am.
“The man was putting his hands to his face – he was speechless,” he said.
“The mother was crying.
“I was so shocked and really happy for them. It's good to have a local winner.”
The man said the size of the jackpot had prompted him to buy a ticket on a whim, “while sitting in my car the other day”.
