![Lucky charmers: Garry Innes has been on duty and Ann McMichael has sold the Keno ticket for the last three big jackpot wins at the RSL Club. Lucky charmers: Garry Innes has been on duty and Ann McMichael has sold the Keno ticket for the last three big jackpot wins at the RSL Club.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/HJKdXpzXdCqQNEEJgi9knT/f09997c8-4404-4492-af82-a78627720c52.JPG/r190_248_2534_1653_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A 75 year-old Merimbula great grandmother has claimed the $2.3 million mystery Keno jackpot – the third to be won in just nine months at Merimbula RSL Club.
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“I can’t believe it. I’m still coming to grips with it,” the shaken winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, said moments after walking into the club to present the winning ticket.
“It’s been the worst year of my life. I’m still numb and I can’t believe it’s happened to me,” she said.
It’s been the worst year of my life. I’m still numb and I can’t believe it’s happened to me.
- $2.3 million Keno winner
The woman, a mother of eight, grandmother of 19, and great grandmother of 11, said her husband had suffered a massive stroke earlier this year, leaving him partially brain damaged and requiring full time care.
“He said to me ‘one day we’re going to win’. Even last week, he said ‘did you put my tickets on for me?’,” she said.
The winner didn’t realise she had become a millionaire until late Monday afternoon, when her son prompted her to check her ticket.
“I’d forgotten I’d even put the ticket on,” she explained.
The woman said her son told her to check her ticket but she was convinced she wasn’t a winner. “I said ‘it won’t be me; it’s never me’.”
The ticket was purchased on Sunday evening, September 3 with the winning game played at 7.48pm .
Incredibly the winning tickets for the club’s recent three jackpot wins were sold by the same club staff member, Ann McMichael, and the same venue manager, Garry Innes, was on duty each time.
“Ann knew my husband and used to spend time with him at the club before his stroke, so she was so happy for us.”
Ann said she was very happy for the great grandmother. “It couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person,” Ann said.
The winner is now planning how to spend her fortune.
“The car’s about to die, so that will be one of the first things I get. My husband said one day I might own a Lamborghini. But I don’t think so – they cost a fortune to service,” she said.
“It will be wisely invested in the short term. I want to make sure my husband gets the best care, and it’s very expensive.”