A retiree from the Adelaide suburb of Hackham experienced the shock of a lifetime this week after discovering she held the only winning ticket for the entire $20 million Powerball jackpot drawn on Christmas Day.
A Life-Changing Discovery
The unnamed woman, who bought her ticket at the Colonnades Lotto Kiosk on Beach Road, only checked the entry this week as she is not registered with The Lott Members Club. She described being left "shaking like a leaf" upon realising her fortune. The winning numbers for draw 1545 were 7, 23, 29, 20, 11, 16, and 17, with the Powerball number 17.
"You dream of it happening, but you just don't think it will happen to you," she told officials. "It hasn't sunk in... But I'm starting to get really excited! It's a good start to 2026!" She revealed the ticket had been sitting in her purse unnoticed while she dealt with a busy week.
Plans for a $20 Million Windfall
The lucky winner has already begun considering how to use her monumental prize. Her immediate thoughts turned to generosity. "There's a few things that come to mind. Helping my family, but also giving money to some of my favourite charities," she said. She added that she has always enjoyed giving and now has the capacity to make a more significant difference.
"A lot of people could do a lot of good with this money. I always like to give where I can, no matter what amount. Now I can give a little more," she explained.
The Double-Edged Sword of a Lottery Win
This life-changing event coincides with a public discussion about the real impact of such wins, sparked by a question on Reddit: 'Do you know anyone who won the lottery in Australia?' The responses revealed that a jackpot can be a mixed blessing.
One man shared his family's experience, describing it as a "double-edged sword." "The harsh truth is that money brings out the best and worst in people," he wrote. He explained that while it relieves financial pressure, it also attracts new worries and people seeking a share. His advice was to keep any future large win a secret, even from family.
Other stories highlighted both pitfalls and successes:
- One user told of friends who won $1 million, quit their jobs, invested in a franchise, and ultimately went broke.
- Another shared a positive story where a family member in their 20s won $1.2 million, bought a house and a car, and set themselves up financially.
- A woman recalled an auntie winning a share of $70 million in a 2013 syndicate, which she described as well-deserved given the winner's personal circumstances.
For the Hackham retiree, the journey is just beginning. As the reality of her $20 million Christmas Day win starts to settle, her focus remains on sharing her newfound fortune to do good for those around her.
