The Division One-winning Lotto ticket sold at Branxton Newsagency has finally been claimed, 11 days after the draw took place.
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A Branxton woman in her thirties, who wished to remain anonymous, came forward on Wednesday to collect her $673,151.01 prize.
She was one of two Division One winners in the Saturday Lotto draw on December 3.
In an unbelievable stroke of luck, the woman had won $50,000 in a syndicate share in March – also sold at Branxton Newsagency.
“I checked my ticket at the newsagency and the guys there said ‘ah you better come have a chat to us’,” she said.
“I literally screamed, shouted, shook and did all that sort of stuff!
“The staff were really excited for me too.
“I’ve been really flat out so I haven’t had a chance to come in and claim the prize but it’s been playing on my mind this whole time.”
The woman plans to invest the money as well as making her family’s dream of going to Disneyland come true.
“I’ve had a little while to think about it and I’ve decided I’m going to invest the prize money, since I just don’t want to go and blow it!” she said.
“It’s a really life-changing amount that I never thought I’d see in my life!” she exclaimed.
“I’ll also take the kids and go on a holiday, probably to Disneyland because it’s a dream for everyone to go there, and I’d also like to go on a cruise somewhere!”
Branxton Newsagency owner David Smith was delighted to have helped deliver another Division One winning prize.
“I’ve been here 30-something years but it’s always a great surprise to discover you’ve sold a major prize like this to one of your customers,” Mr Smith said.
“Then to find out that you sold them two in one year is pretty special!
“It’s lovely to see at this time of year and would be an amazing experience for anyone.”
EARLIER REPORT
7 Dec 2016, 9:50 a.m.
A division one Saturday Lotto prize sold at Branxton Newsagency is yet to be claimed.
The prize – worth $673,151.01 – was won in draw 3691 on Saturday, December 3.
The winning ticket was not registered to a Players Club card, so NSW Lotteries has no way to contact the mystery winner with the dream-come-true news.
Another winning ticket sold at Ashfield Newsagency in Sydney also remains unclaimed.
NSW Lotteries spokesperson Claire Taylor said because the unregistered winners had not yet claimed their division one prizes, they could still be completely unaware they’re about to have a Christmas like never before.
“Imagine going about your Christmas shopping with a Saturday Lotto ticket worth more than $673,000 in your purse or wallet, or even floating around in your handbag or the centre console of your car,” Ms Taylor said.
Anyone who believes they are holding a winning entry should contact NSW Lotteries on 131 868.