A Launceston couple found out they’d won $2.5 million in TattsLotto while out on a Sunday drive for Mother’s Day, turning their long-held dream of owning a home into reality.
The pair held one of eight division one winning entries nationally in TattsLotto draw 4675 on Saturday.
They had no idea about their windfall until an official from The Lott called them on Sunday morning.
“You’re joking!?” the man said on the phone call.
“No! This is a joke. This is really a joke. It can’t be true. You have no idea what this means,” his wife added.
The man called it a fitting Mother’s Day present.
“We’re out driving but have just pulled up,” he said.
“We might just go look for our first home. We’ve always dreamt about it. We’ve always talked about it. We won’t be renting anymore!”
His wife said she might go buy a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
Their winning 12-game QuickPick entry was purchased at Prospect Marketplace News on Westbury Road in Prospect.
Store owner Ravi Teja Varma Gottimukkala said it was only the second time his outlet had sold a division one winning entry in 14 years.
“When we first heard our outlet had sold a division one winning entry, we were absolutely shocked and excited!” he said.
“It’s such an incredible feeling knowing that someone from our community is now a multi-millionaire.”
“Everyone in the store was cheering and smiling, it honestly felt unreal at first.”
Gottimukkala wished the winners well, saying he hoped the prize would bring their family “happiness, security and many unforgettable memories”.
The winning numbers were 12, 11, 2, 33, 37 and 17, with supplementary numbers 36 and 41.
Across Australia, the eight division one wins were split between Queensland with three, New South Wales with two and one each in Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
