Warkworth man claims $19.1 million prize
29 November 2017
It’s been the question on everyone’s lips – who is Warkworth’s Powerball prize?

Now following a week of intense speculation, a Warkworth man has come forward and claimed the $19.1 million Powerball prize.

The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, had no idea that a big Powerball prize had been won in his small riverside town – let alone that he was the one in possession of the multi-million dollar ticket.

“It was a busy weekend, so I didn’t have a clue that someone in Warkworth had won a big prize,” said the winner.

“If I had known, I probably wouldn’t have driven around all weekend with a very valuable ticket under my seat,” laughed the winner.

So when he stopped in at his local supermarket on Monday night to grab a few bits and pieces for dinner, the man got the surprise of his life when he checked his ticket.

“I handed over my ticket to the lady behind the counter and the words ‘Congratulations, you are a First Division winner’ flashed up on the screen.

“I asked the lady ‘what does this mean?’ but the expression on her face gave it away — her eyes were wide and she had a massive grin on her face,” said the winner.

“When she told me I had won $19 million, it was like it didn’t even register.

“I’m the type of guy who likes to contain my emotions, so she probably thought I wasn’t even excited — if only she knew how I was feeling inside, I was bursting with happiness,” said the winner.

Playing it cool, the newly minted winner left the supermarket and started driving home.

“I thought I was doing a good job of holding it all together, but as soon as I started driving my mind began to spin. I just had all these thoughts rushing around,” said the winner.

To clear his head, the winner instead headed to Snell’s beach for a swim.

“It was great, the water was cool and I swam out deep. All the rushing thoughts disappeared and I started to feel a lot calmer,” said the winner.

Cooled off, the winner drove home to tell his partner the good news.

“While I was swimming I had been thinking about how I wanted to tell her, so I wandered in the house and causally asked her ‘did you hear someone in Warkworth has won $19 million?’

“When she turned to look at me I said ‘and you’re looking at him’. She just stared at me in shock, trying to read my face,” laughed the winner.

“When she realised I wasn’t joking, we had a big hug and a kiss — it was a very special moment.”

With the winnings now safely tucked away, the man is taking some time out to figure out his next move.

“I feel very fortunate to have won, but I want to let everything settle down a bit before I make any big decisions.

“It’s actually quite funny I had a birthday a couple of months ago and when I blew out the candles on my cake I made wish to win Powerball,” laughed the winner

“Looks like the birthday gods are making wishes come true this year!”

The winning ticket was sold at New World Warkworth for the Lotto draw on Wednesday 22 November, where the $38 million Powerball prize was shared by two winners from Greytown and Warkworth.

The other $19.1 million Powerball winner was claimed Wairarapa syndicate of three-generations earlier this week.

ENDS

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