A Queensland father from Bribie Island has struck gold, winning an astonishing $60 million in the recent Powerball draw. The incredulous retiree held the only winning ticket nationwide for Powerball draw 1499, which took place on February 6, 2025. This incredible win not only promises to change his financial situation overnight but also allows him to honor his late mother's cherished memory through his plans for the prize.
When the life-changing call from The Lott came, he was on the verge of drifting off to sleep, lost in daydreams about what winning the lottery would mean. "No joke, I was just drifting off to sleep dreaming about what it would be like to win the lotto – all the things I could do," he shared with excitement.
He explained how he had almost forgotten to purchase his ticket altogether. Earlier, he had received an email reminder about the $60 million draw but got distracted by conversation at home. Luckily, he remembered just in time and bought his ticket through The Lott app, ensuring he didn't miss out on this life-changing opportunity.
"Oh wow! You’re kidding. No way. It’s after 9pm, but this calls for a bottle of champagne!" he exclaimed during the call with The Lott officials, clearly still processing the magnitude of his win.
The winning numbers, 20, 23, 34, 19, 24, 31, and 10, along with the Powerball number 14, rolled out on the evening of the draw. He had been playing these numbers for years; he indicated it's been up to 15 years of participating, highlighting the routine he had grown accustomed to. According to him, he often fluctuated between different numbers, but it was sheer luck he chose these specific ones this time.
Adding to the charm of his story is the vow he made after having a vivid dream months ago. He recounted, "This is really strange but about months back, I had this vivid dream..." which involved entering the lottery with a friend and winning $40 million. Since then, he and his friend have made it a practice to buy tickets for draws with jackpots exceeding $40 million, blending fate with superstition.
Now, with his newfound wealth, the lucky winner has plans for generosity. He expressed his intention to support his kind-hearted wife and children and lend helping hands to friends who are struggling. But more personally, he revealed his heartfelt dream of acquiring his mother’s vintage Chevrolet, which she had to sell years ago, leaving her emotional scars. "I think I’m going to keep the tradition going by buying the same model again. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do!" he stated.
This win adds to the excitement surrounding Australian lotteries, especially after another recent Oz Lotto draw saw someone walking away with $100 million just days earlier. The spikes in lottery wins remind everyone of the luck inherent within these games of chance. Even the winners and dreamers echo the thrill of hope and speculative fortune when they get swept up in the numbers.
Concluding this riveting story is the perpetual promise of the next Powerball draw, which is set to happen on February 13 with another jackpot of $10 million on the line. For all who dream—and play—the possibilities remain ever tantalizing.