$13 million Lotto win
- Jim Campbell
- 24th July 2008
Karen and Michael Coles sold the winning ticket in Lotto at their Range Newsagency.
JULY 23 is Toowoomba's luckiest day. It has produced three instant millionaires in just two years.
A Toowoomba couple in their 50s couldn't believe their eyes yesterday morning when they opened The Chronicle over breakfast and discovered they were $13 million richer.
Shortly after finding their seven winning numbers on page two, Golden Casket called the couple to confirm they had won Toowoomba's biggest Lotto win - a staggering $13,185,273.02.
But perhaps a lot more people would have snatched up tickets if they knew that exactly two years ago yesterday (July 23, 2006), a mystery Toowoomba man won a $2 million Keno jackpot.
It seems July 23 is just Toowoomba's luckiest day.
The couple, who want to remain anonymous, purchased their hot little Quickpick ticket from the Range News and Casket Agency.
The woman said the first thing they would do with their prize was pay off their debts, but she had no idea how else they would spend their massive windfall.
They were one of four winners across Australia who won a first division prize in the highest ever Oz 7 Lotto draw.
Range News and Casket Agency owner Michael Coles admitted he felt a pang of jealousy when he heard the news, but was just happy his store could provide the lucky ticket.
“We still have no idea who they are, but I think we'll just keep a lookout for a brand new flash car in the car park.”
It is the second time this year a Toowoomba resident has won a first division Lotto prize. In March, a woman in her 60s became a millionaire after winning a first division prize in Wednesday Gold Lotto.
So Toowoomba, when July 23 rolls around next year, it could be worth a flutter. It might just be your lucky day.
Tuesday night's lucky numbers were 40, 33, 5, 44, 16, 17 and 3, with 31 and 7 the supps.
• Are you the lucky millionaire couple, or do you know them? The Chronicle wants to tell their story. Call 4690 9305 or email jim.campbell @thechronicle.com.au.
