Western Downs man scores big with first division win

Local newsagent says the win is a major boost for the small town.

LUCKY LOTTO WINNER: A Tara man who says he chose his numbers at random years ago, is still overwhelmed by his wonderful $587,000 Gold Lotto win. Picture: Contributed

THE small country town of Tara has received a wonderful early Christmas gift with a local man earning over half a million dollars from a first division Gold Lotto win. 

In what has been a particularly tough year for a small country community feeling the effects of this seven-year drought, locals are rapt to hear someone from their own patch has scored the life changing winnings. 

The regular player, who wishes to remain anonymous, purchased his marked 18-game entry at Tara Newsagency on Day St.

The regional Queensland player held one of the seven division one winning entries nationally in Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4003 on Saturday 30 November 2019, with each entry taking home a division one prize of $587,936.00.

Confirming his win with a Golden Casket official this afternoon, the stunned winner explained why he only discovered the news nearly a week after the draw.

"I never check my tickets unless I am going to put another ticket on," he said.

"I play the same numbers each time I play and have been playing for years... I chose my numbers at random years ago, so they aren't special in anyway. You could say they are special now!"

When asked how he planned to enjoy his windfall, the shocked but thrilled man said he couldn't fathom how to spend his prize.

"I haven't quite made up my mind," he said.

"It's all still sinking in. I don't even know what to do to celebrate. It's all a bit much for now. I'll just have to think about it."

Tara Newsagency owner Gayle Porter said she was thrilled one of her customers had scored division one.

"We are so happy to hear that one of our regular customers has won over $500,000 in last Saturday's night's draw," she said.

"We've been telling all of our customers we've sold a major prize and we are hoping we can get another one for our town and it's visitors.

"It's great someone in our town has won. Our town has been struggling through the drought fro seven years now, from farmers, to businesses and community members. This news will bring a boost for the community.

"It is fantastic for this local man and we are so happy for him.It has been the best Christmas present for this family.

"We've been here for fifteen years but haven't sold a division one winning entry, so we are thrilled.

In the 12 months to 30 June 2019, Monday & Wednesday Gold Lotto and Saturday Gold Lotto created 193 millionaires across Australia.

The winning numbers in Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4003 on Saturday 30 November 2019 were 10, 30, 16, 22, 38 and 20, while the supplementary numbers were 42 and 14.

Across Australia, there were seven division one entries in Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4003 - three from Queensland, two from Western Australia and one each from South Australia and New South Wales.

In the 12 months to 30 June 2019, there were 244 division one winning Saturday Gold Lotto entries across the Lott's jurisdictions, which collectively won more than $286.6 million.
 

Originally published as Western Downs man scores big with first division win