‘Going to go to good use here’: Northern suburbs locals react to Powerball win

Shoppers at the OTR convenience store where Australia’s biggest lottery-winning ticket was sold have shared their excitement an SA man nabbed the epic $150m cash haul.

Shoppers at the Salisbury OTR convenience store where Australia’s biggest lottery-winning ticket was sold have shared their excitement an SA man nabbed the epic $150 cash haul.

Adam Bowering, 54, who nearby, said he wished he bought a ticket.

Mr Bowering said he’d use the millions to buy a house and take his family on a holiday if he had been the lucky winner of the jackpot.

“I’d buy a house for my children, go on holidays to America, (my) wife wants to go to Switzerland,” he said.

Ellie Barkell and Tasmyn Grace Steele at OTR Salisbury Highway, where the winning ticket was sold. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Clark

Childcare educators Tasmyn Grace Steele, 22, and Ellie Barkell, 33, visited the OTR on their lunch break and said they were surprised to find out the winning ticket had been sold there.

“It’s so crazy,” Ms Steele said.

“I’m so jealous,” Ms Barkell added.

The pair said they would buy a ticket next time and use their potential winnings to buy investment properties and overseas trips.

“I would buy a few houses and rent them out as an investment,” Ms Steele said.

“I would use the rest to go on a holiday.”

Philip Pierre, 54, lives locally and said it was “amazing” the winning ticket had been sold in the area.

He said he would buy a ticket the next time there was a cash jackpot, but wouldn’t tell anyone if he won.

“I wouldn’t know where to start with the money,” he said.

“The first thing I’d have to do is lock my door because everyone would be knocking on it.”

Salisbury local Andrew said he was happy to hear someone from SA had won. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Clark

Salisbury resident Andrew also didn’t buy a ticket – but said he was happy to hear another SA local had won.

“It’s very good, it’s a working class area, so it would be nice if somebody here got it,” he said.

“It’s going to go to good use here, there’s a lot of people doing it tough.”

Another local passing by said it was “amazing” and he wished it was him.

One man visiting the OTR on Friday afternoon said if he had won “you wouldn’t be seeing him here.”

OTR area manager Matt Di Virgilio at OTR Salisbury Highway, where the winning $150m ticket was sold. Picture: NewsWire/Ben Clark

OTR area manager Matt Di Virgilio said it was exciting to have an SA winner.

“We often have so many interstate winners, so to not only have one from South Australia but from one of our OTR stores is incredible.”

While it is unknown which staff member sold the winning ticket, Mr Di Virgilio said the team was over the moon.

“The staff are stoked, they’re a bit star struck and there’s a buzz around the store.

“They’re all trying to work out who sold the ticket, but it’s great.”

Mr Di Virgilio said the team would love to welcome back the “lucky winner” to shout a few $3 Moe’s hot dogs.

“I reckon he could probably shout a few of those hot dogs to all the staff and his family and friends and all that at $3,” he said.

“I reckon he’s got a little bit of disposable income to spare now.”

Salisbury barista Antonia said the eye-watering figure would become a burden. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Clark

Up the road, barista Antonia, 59, said while it was great there was a winner, it would have been nicer if there were multiple winners.

“It would have been nice if a lot more people had won it and it had been shared especially in the north as people do it a bit harder,” she said.

She also said the “life-changing” sum may become a burden for the sole winner.

“$150m is too much [responsibility] they’re gonna feel very lucky today, but at some point it’s also going to be a burden.

“It’d be impossible to keep a secret, you can’t hide $150 million dollars.”

Hans, 72, and Steven Parker, 48, st Salisbury shopping centre. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Clark

Rigger Steven Parker, 48, isn’t a gambling man but said if he had won the money, he would spend it on his family and donate to Ronald McDonald House.

“I would buy a house for my kids, probably buy myself one and my mum, and I’d look after everybody,” he said.

“I’d want to do some good with it, the Ronald McDonald House helped me out once so that’s definitely one.

“I had twins, born four months early, and [Ronald McDonald House] were really nice, took care of us and I’ve always promised myself I’d do something for them one day.”

Eshaq Nawroazi, owner of Afghan Grocer at Salisbury shopping centre would use the $150m to build a bridge. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Clark

Afghan Grocery owner Eshaq Nawroazi would also use the money for good, building a bridge over Gawler Street to ease traffic.

“If I won that money I would change this road and put a bridge here for the cars because when our customers come it’s too busy by the train line. For 15, 20 minutes everyday people stop there.”

The City of Salisbury has a recent history with major lottery wins, with two major jackpots drawn at Mawson Lakes.

Mayor Gillian Aldridge said it was great to see the city’s lucky streak continue.

‘How fantastic that another major lottery winning ticket was purchased in the City of

Salisbury! I extend my congratulations to the winner,” she said.