A Brisbane widow has discovered that the greatest prize in a multi-million dollar property win wasn't the luxury apartments, but the gift of time with her loved ones.
From Disbelief to Life-Changing Reality
Lucy, a 62-year-old who asked for her real name not to be published, had regularly purchased low-cost tickets in RSL Queensland's Dream Home Art Union draw. She never expected to become the owner of two brand-new beachfront apartments in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, along with $10,000 in gold, a prize valued at more than $6 million.
She was at work when she received the life-altering phone call, but her initial reaction was one of skepticism. "I said, well, that's lovely, but I don't believe you," Lucy recalled. It took about an hour for the reality to sink in after the paperwork was confirmed. "It took about an hour before I thought, wow, I'm going to need to tell my kids," she said.
Lucy gathered her two adult children on a conference call to deliver the incredible news. "I said to the kids, nothing wrong, but I need to speak to you guys together. They were equally shocked and surprised," she told 7NEWS.com.au.
A Celebratory Handover and a New Beginning
The family turned the key handover into a memorable celebration. Instead of using the standard $2000 travel money to visit the prize, they arranged a stretch limousine. "We drove through Mum's retirement village... We all drove to Noosa to sign the papers. It was a bit of fun," Lucy shared.
For Lucy, who was widowed 15 years earlier, the win brought forward her retirement plans. She had been carefully budgeting, with a colour-coded financial plan, and aiming to retire at 64. The financial security allowed her to retire just a year after claiming the prize. "I knew I'd retire in about three or four years at about 64, and I was able to bring that forward a few years," she explained.
While she did upgrade to business class on a pre-booked trip to Italy, Lucy emphasised that the prize was never about luxury. "We've all got most things we want these days. What you want is time," she stated. Since retiring, she has cherished the ability to visit her mother more often, reconnect with friends, and spend quality time with her four grandchildren.
Sharing the Wealth and a Lasting Legacy
Lucy made the practical decision to sell both Noosa apartments. She cleared her mortgage and generously shared the winnings with her family and friends. "I was able to give my grown-up children a lump sum. And I think about 25 people all got a little bit of cash," she said. Her children used the funds to renovate a house and pay down a mortgage, enabling one to have a second child earlier than planned.
With the proceeds, she bought a home in Bokarina on the Sunshine Coast, furnishing it with items from her prize properties. Lucy continues to buy tickets for the draw, not for another big win, but because "It's for a good cause. We've got a new wave of veterans who need support."
According to RSL Queensland, proceeds from tickets, which start at $5, support veterans and their families. Last year alone, they assisted 7304 veterans, secured employment for 358, and helped 238 into permanent accommodation.
Ben Sawkins, General Manager of Dream Home Art Union, noted rising demand as home ownership becomes harder for many Australians. "Traditionally it's older Australians, but now families and millennials are getting involved... The odds of winning are better than Powerball," he said.
The next major draw closes on December 19, with a $13 million prize including a five-bedroom luxury home at Burleigh Heads, $500,000 in gold, a travel voucher, and designer furnishings, to be announced on December 23.
For Lucy, the true transformation has been in her quality of life. "At the end of the day, we all want time with loved ones and good health," she reflected. "The win changed my life, but what I value most is the time with the people I love."
