Workmates win $30m powerball in twist of fate
A group of Perth workmates have won the incredible $30 million Powerball after a twist of fate.
15 men and women, ranging from their 30s to 60s, will each take home $2 million after becoming the state's first Powerball winners of the year.
The group of friends have been trying to win the Saturday Lotto for years, but when one of them forgot to buy their weekly ticket, they decided to buy the Powerball ticket on a whim.
“We all put money into a kitty and I buy a Saturday Lotto ticket every week, plus one for any jackpots of $50 million or more,” the ticket buyer said.
"I couldn’t believe it when I realised I forgot to buy our ticket for Saturday Lotto. I was thinking of the grief I was going to get on Monday at work.
“I saw that Powerball was at $30 million and bought a ticket for that instead on a whim.”
“We should never have had a ticket for this draw," he added.
“I’ve never expected to win but play happily knowing that some of the money goes to helping the community.”
The man said he now has a plan to retire early and go caravaning around the country with his wife.
Other members of the group have decided to help their children and book holidays they had always wanted to take.
One woman joked that when she heard the good news she immediately bought her favourite treat - a pineapple.
Lotterywest spokeswoman Zoe Wender said the three-week Powerball jackpot run raised $5.9m for Lotterywest’s grants program, which provides supports community groups throughout WA.
“It was incredible welcoming this group of 15 winners into the Lotterywest Winners Room and seeing how ecstatic they were,” she said.
“This is a life-changing win for this group of workmates, and how fantastic that they are sharing the joy of winning together.”
Image: Lotterywest