New South Wales, Australia
A woman in her seventies from the small town of Hillston in the State’s West became Lotto’s first millionaire in 2006 last night after she collected the $1 million Division One prize.
“Oh what a lovely phone call,” the delighted woman said when contacted last night by a NSW Lotteries official and told she was now a millionaire.
When asked to describe how she felt, the happy winner said, “It’s quite hard to say, it’s like I’m having a little dream.”
The woman said she has a large family and plans to help all of them with her prize money. Every week since Lotto started in 1979 the loyal Lotto player has purchased the same entry and is totally satisfied that her persistence has finally paid off.
The winning 4 game standard entry, costing just $1.40, was purchased from the Hillston Newsagency at 172 High Street, Hillston.
“Good to see it’s gone to a local – absolutely fantastic,” was the reaction from newsagency owner John Currie when told his business has sold the million dollar winning entry.
“We’ve only owned the newsagency for three months so this news is wonderful for us, we must have bought some luck into the shop. I’d say this would have to be the largest prize ever sold in Hillston so hopefully this kick starts plenty more,” Mr Currie said.