A farming couple from the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale have won $2 million following the weekend’s Saturday Lotto draw.
The husband and wife, who have been playing Lotto together since it started more than 30 years ago, said they originally thought they’d misread the numbers.
“I thought my wife had buggered it up,” he said.
“It wasn’t until we got our grandson to double check the numbers on his computer that we realised we’d actually won.”
The husband said they were in the midst of securing a $300,000 loan to support the family farm and 2016 had been a year of hardship.
“No one wants to admit things are tough and farmers are some of the proudest people in Australia,” he said.
“The money means we can cancel the loan and support the family farm ourselves.”
The winning ticket was sold at newsXpress Armadale Central and manager Emma Dean said the store was no stranger to Lotto luck.
“It has been less than two years since we sold a Powerball ticket worth an incredible $50 million,” she said.
“It remains the biggest single Division one in the state’s history.”
Ms Dean said she and the staff at newsXpress were delighted to learn the winners were regular customers.
“We couldn’t be happier,” she said.
“They are very deserving of the $2 million and hopefully it’ll make their life a little easier.”
Lotterywest spokeswoman Pina Compagone said almost $8 million in prizes had been won since the start of 2017.
“Last week alone saw two winners here in WA,” she said.
“The husband and wife from Serpentine Jarrahdale are our fifth millionaires in just three weeks.”
Ms Compagone said across the state Lotterywest provided a vital source of support for a number of projects including almost $50,000 towards a not-for-profit and community organisations in the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale including a $10,000 contribution towards the shire’s Men’s Shed.
