Workmates win $30m on ‘a whim’

A group of 15 workmates have won $30m. Picture: NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

The 15 men and women, aged from being in their 30s to their 60s, will walk away with $2 million each from the Powerball win.

The winning Powerball ticket was purchased on a whim at the Malaga Newsagency after one of the workmates forgot to buy their weekly Saturday Lotto ticket.

“We all put money into a kitty and I buy a Saturday Lotto ticket every week, plus one for any jackpots of $50m or more,” the ticket purchaser said.

“I couldn’t believe it when I realised I forgot to buy our ticket for Saturday Lotto.

“I was thinking of the grief I was going to get on Monday at work.

“I saw that Powerball was at $30m and bought a ticket for that instead on a whim.

“We should never have had a ticket for this draw.

“I’ve never expected to win but play happily knowing that some of the money goes to helping the community.”

The man said he now has plan to retire early and go caravanning around the country with his wife.

Meanwhile, his friends have made other plans to help their children, visit family overseas or book their dream holidays.

Lotterywest spokeswoman Zoe Wender said the three-week Powerball jackpot run raised $5.9m for Lotterywest’s grants program, which provides supports community groups throughout WA.

“It was incredible welcoming this group of 15 winners into the Lotterywest Winners Room and seeing how ecstatic they were,” she said.

“This is a life-changing win for this group of workmates, and how fantastic that they are sharing the joy of winning together.”