PERTH, Australia — Three friends from Perth have claimed the $30 million Powerball jackpot, but despite their newfound wealth, they plan to continue working. The trio, who have been playing the lottery together for nine years, purchased the winning ticket at The Village News in High Wycombe for $8.05.
The prize, which will be equally divided, means each friend will take home $10 million. One of the winners shared his experience of discovering the win. “I had several tickets to check, but when I got to this one, the retailer quietly took me aside,” he said. “There was a huge Easter queue, so I was confused about what was happening.”
The retailer then revealed that the ticket was worth $30 million, leaving the winner completely stunned. “I didn’t even know there was a win in Perth. When he told me, I was completely baffled,” he added. “He told me to go home, take a deep breath, and enjoy the moment.”
The three friends spent the Easter weekend attending family events, all while processing the huge news. “I could barely think straight while chatting with family,” one winner said. “It felt like an out-of-body experience.”
While the prize is life-changing, the friends have no immediate plans to quit their jobs. “We want to take more family holidays and make memories for the kids,” one winner explained. “We’d love a three-day work week and early retirement, but we enjoy our work and want to stay active.”
Once the money is in the bank, they plan to celebrate with a big steak dinner, with one winner joking, “My son fancies a tomahawk, and I’m sure we can organize that now.”
The Village News owner, Jimmy Wang, expressed his excitement about selling the winning ticket. “When I found out, I had a few regular customers in mind. It’s great news for the store,” Wang said.
Zoe Wender, a spokesperson for Lotterywest, commented on the life-changing impact of the win. “It’s fantastic to see a Powerball ticket, costing just $8.05, turn into a $30 million prize that will benefit three families,” she said.
