A woman from Hervey Bay is struggling to contain her disbelief after discovering she is a $20 million Oz Lotto winner — and she almost didn't even check her ticket. The Queensland woman was one of two division one winners in the national Oz Lotto draw held on August 11, sharing a bumper $40 million jackpot equally with a man from Hobart, Tasmania.
A Shock Discovery at a Local Newsagency
The Hervey Bay woman said she only went to have her ticket checked after news emerged that the major prize had been claimed by an unregistered player in her area. Even then, she was far from convinced it could be her.
"I didn't think it was me but thought I'd better check my ticket," she said.
What followed was a moment of joyful confusion. The woman initially misheard the amount she had won, believing staff had told her the figure was just $20,000 — until she looked more carefully at the numbers in front of her.
"I initially thought they said I'd won $20,000, but then realised there were a few more digits!" she said.
The reaction was immediate and visceral. "Oh Jesus! I'm still shaking," she told lottery officials. "I'm not sure I can walk at the moment. My whole body is shaking."
The Winning Ticket and a Lucky Newsagency
The winning entry was purchased from Nextra Fraser Gateway Newsagency, located in the Hervey Bay suburb of Urraween. For owner Steven Chow, the win was remarkable — but not entirely out of the ordinary for his store.
"We had a division one winning syndicate in Weekday Windfall last Wednesday — six days before this one," Chow said. "Everyone is just so excited! It means we've had seven division one wins in the three and a half years I've had the outlet."
Chow extended his congratulations to the latest winner and expressed hope the good fortune would continue. "I hope we can sell more division one winning entries so others get to achieve their dreams too," he said.
What the Win Means for Her Family
When asked how she planned to spend her newfound fortune, the Hervey Bay woman kept her feet firmly on the ground — at least for now.
"This is just a massive boost to my family," she said. "I'll keep working for now, but I'll be able to look after everyone. I just can't believe it."
For millions of Australians who regularly try their luck, stories like this are a reminder of what a single ticket can change. If you're curious about how Oz Lotto jackpots and ticket sales work when prize pools climb into the tens of millions, the mechanics are worth understanding before the next big draw.
Hobart Man Also in Tears Over $20 Million Share
The other half of the jackpot belongs to a man from Hobart who had a stroke of timing on his side. He told lottery officials he had rushed into Sorell Lucky Agency moments before it closed to purchase his ticket — a last-minute decision that has since transformed his life.
"That is life-changing! It's come at a really good time," he said, bursting into happy tears upon hearing the news.
The Hobart winner painted a vivid picture of what the windfall means in practical terms. He and his family have been renting and searching for a new home to move into — a search that is now effectively over.
"This is like — now we'll just buy a house!" he said. He also noted he was approaching retirement age, adding that the prize money would allow him to consider stepping back from work sooner than expected. Travel is also firmly on the agenda, with the winner saying he has long dreamed of visiting Texas and Arizona in the United States.
"Holy smokes! I appreciate the call. Geez, I'm shocked. I'm so happy. It's just a weight off your shoulders," he said.
Between the two winners, the August 11 Oz Lotto draw has produced two life-altering outcomes — one in Queensland's Fraser Coast, one in southern Tasmania — turning an ordinary Monday night into a moment neither winner will ever forget.
