Rockhampton grandparents win $50M Division 1 prize in Powerball draw

An unsuspecting grandmother answered the phone expecting to be sold solar panels, instead she was told she had just won a life-changing prize.

Christmas has come early for a Rockhampton couple who won $50 million in Powerball on Thursday.

Queensland grandparents have been left in a “total state of shock” after winning $50 million in Powerball.

When the Rockhampton grandmother answered a phone call on Thursday night, she was expecting a solar panel sales pitch.

Instead, she was speaking with a lottery official who delivered the life-changing news.

“You’re joking?,” the grandmother said.

“I’m in disbelief. I can’t believe it. This doesn’t happen to us.

“I expected you to ask if we have solar panels, not to tell us we’ve just won $50 million.

“We’re multi-millionaires. I can’t believe I’m saying that. It’s going to take a while to wrap my head around it.”

The couple was one of two winners of the huge Division 1 prize pool, the other being a mystery Melbourne player who had an unregistered ticket.

The Rockhampton couple bought their winning 12-game QuickPick from Card & Paper Shop at Stockland Rockhampton.

The grandmother revealed she had been playing Powerball since it had started.

“I had always used the same numbers, but this ticket was just a QuickPick,” she said.

There were two Division 1 winners in Thursday night’s Powerball, each receiving $50 million Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“I’m in a total state of shock.

“We’ve been pretty happy in life, but this is the icing on the cake.”

The couple is looking forward to sharing their winnings with family.

“It helps the family, that’s for sure. ‘Family first’ is what we always say,” the grandmother said.

“We’ll have lots more time together now too. I don’t think they’re going to believe us when we tell them.

“There’s going to be a few more prezzies under the tree on Christmas Day.”

Card & Paper Shop owner Janet Dingley was overjoyed to hear that her outlet had sold the winning ticket.

“It feels wonderful to know we’ve played a role in completely changing someone’s life,” she said.

“This is our tenth Division 1 win ever, and it was only two weeks ago that we sold a Division 1 winning entry worth $2 million

“It’s unreal to see our outlet on a bit of a winning streak.”

Janet said she would be filling the store from “floor to ceiling with balloons and signage”, while also spreading the wonderful news far and wide.

The winning numbers were 22, 10, 4, 31, 1, 26 and 9, while the Powerball number was 14.

Originally published as Rockhampton grandparents win $50M Division 1 prize in Powerball draw