Caring couple's $2.22 million win honours father's memory

A Busselton carer who continued playing her late father's favourite lotto numbers in his honour has won $2.22 million in Saturday Lotto, creating a special family legacy that spans generations.

The West Busselton woman only began playing lotto after her father's passing, choosing to keep his weekly routine alive by playing the numbers he had faithfully selected for years.

Now, those numbers have delivered a life-changing Division One prize.

"Dad never had a significant win with those numbers, he would have absolutely loved knowing that we won," she said.

The winning ticket was bought from West Busselton Newsagency, where buying her weekly lottery ticket has become a much-anticipated part of the winner’s routine.

"It's something I enjoy doing every week and the people there feel like family now," she said.

The winner and her husband were caring for their grandchildren when they decided to check their ticket while visiting a nearby regional town.

The local newsagent immediately knew something special had happened,” she said.

"When they checked the ticket, they asked me to come out the back and sit down and gave me the good news."

While the win is helping secure the couple's future, their focus remains firmly on family.

"If our children and grandchildren are happy, that's all that matters to us," she said.

The couple plan to renovate their bathroom, buy a new car and ensure they can continue supporting their family for many years to come.

They also intend to celebrate in the same way they have always enjoyed by spending time together.

"We had Chinese food when we first found out and we'll probably have fish and chips as well, and then a big family steak night because we love to get together as a family," she said.

Adding another chapter to the family's remarkable lottery history, the winner revealed her great-grandfather also won a Division One lottery prize many decades ago when Australia still used pounds.

"Our family kept the ticket all these years, so we have a lotto legacy now," she said.

Lotterywest spokesperson Nikki Wilson-Smith said the story was a fitting reminder of the important role carers play in communities and families across Western Australia.

"This couple have spent years caring for others, including their children, grandchildren and always putting family first," Ms Wilson-Smith said.

"At a time when we recognise National Carers Week, it's wonderful to see a life-changing win go to people whose lives have been built around supporting those they love."

National Carers Week will be held from 11 to 17 October 2026 and celebrates the more than three million Australians who provide care to family members and friends.

This year's theme, Care for a Carer: Making Carers Visible, highlights the invaluable contribution carers make to families and communities across the country.

It is thanks to players that, in the past financial year, Lotterywest was able to support Carers WA with a $63,000 towards the organsiation's state conference.

This week Lotterywest players have a chance to buy a ticket in the biggest lottery draw in Australia so far this year.

Powerball has jackpotted to $100 million and if a WA ticket wins, it will be the biggest prize won in the state’s history.

Tickets are available in-store, online and via the Lotterywest App until 6pm Thursday.

Ends//
Media Enquiries:
Lotterywest Media
0438 996 884

To subscribe to Lotterywest’s media list, click here.