Vax a million’s instant millionaire Joanne Zhu stunned by overnight wealth, big plans for money

One very lucky, and very surprised Australian is now an instant millionaire winning the Million Dollar Vax competition.

Instant millionaire Joanne Zhu. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Joanne Zhu never thought that by the age of 25 she would become a millionaire.

But that dream became a reality, after the Sydney woman got the “unexpected” call during her coffee break that she had won the million dollar vaccine lottery on Friday.

She was one of more than 2.74 million Australians who had received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine by the Million Dollar Vax competition cut off date and were in the running for the $1 million cash prize.

A group of philanthropists and corporations known as the Million Dollar Vax Alliance launched the hard-to-resist campaign in October in a bid to boost national vaccination rates.

Ms Zhu celebrated her new wealth on Saturday as Australia hit the vaccine milestone of 80 per cent of eligible adults double jabbed.

Million dollar vaccination competition winner Joanne Zhu celebrates at Sydney’s Hyde Park. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“I was excited and in disbelief when they told me I had won. I cannot believe it’s true,” Ms Zhu said.

“My family are all in China and when I told them I won last night, they couldn’t believe it either. They were so happy for me.”

Ms Zhu, who has lived in Australia for nearly a decade, said her family will be the first to benefit from the cash, as she gives back to “the very people who supported me”.

“My parents spent so much money to support me during my study here in Sydney, so I think I will buy them presents at the very least,” she said.

“I want to also invite them to Sydney again to have a luxury trip when the borders open.

“And I’ll spend the money also on travel, presents for myself, dinner and food for my friends.

“But I will also need to think about how to invest to make more money in my future, so that one day I can have abilities to help more people that need help.”

The alliance has been handing out 100 gift cards every day worth $1000 throughout October, in addition to the ultimate $1 million prize.

In total, more than $4.1 million worth of prizes were handed out to more than 3,100 lucky Australians.

Her lucky day. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“All of us behind the campaign are incredibly proud of what it has achieved,” Alliance chair Craig Winkler said.

“It’s excellent to finally announce the winner and hearing their reaction was truly priceless.”

The Million Dollar Vax – which has been the biggest campaign of its type in Australia – has set a record with the largest number of unique entries received in a competition over a four-week period.

More than 3,600 postcodes across the country, including states with low vaccination rates, rolled up their sleeves as they vied for the top prize.

“We have collectively shown what can happen when Australians get on board,” Mr Winkler said.

“We are delighted with the way Australia has embraced the campaign and the positive impact it has had in lifting the national vaccination rate and getting us on track to exceed 90 per cent.

“The most encouraging element was the late increase in entries from states such as South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia, encouragingly receiving over 100,000 entries on the final day of the campaign.”

Australia has cruised past the 80 per cent vaccination milestone for eligible adults. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

The national lottery campaign was inspired by the successful Ohio ‘Vax-A-Million’ campaign in the United States, which gave $1 million to five lucky residents who had received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Some of the donors include the Susan McKinnon foundation, Jasper foundation and the P & S Bassat foundation.

Others chose to remain anonymous as they wanted the focus to be on “giving back to the community” rather than their contribution.

Originally published as Vax a million’s instant millionaire Joanne Zhu stunned by overnight wealth, big plans for money