Scratchie surprise gives family a $150,000 Fiji upgrade

A Tapping mum's last-minute $10 Scratch'n'Win purchase has turned a long-awaited family holiday into one they'll never forget, with a $150,000 prize landing just hours before take-off.

The young mother had been busy buying last-minute holiday items when she stopped at NewsXpress in Carramar and picked up her usual $10 Scratch'n'Win ticket.

When she scanned the ticket in-store, the screen flashed a message asking her to contact Lotterywest.

"I was the only person in the shop at the time, so I started jumping up and down, I've won $200 and $500 prizes before, so I knew that message meant it must be a pretty big win,” she said.

When the retailer checked the ticket and confirmed she had won $150,000, she could hardly believe it.

The stunned winner immediately called her husband, who was at home packing for the family's Fiji adventure with their son and daughter, a trip they have been planning for two years.

"I told him to get the kids dressed because I was coming home to pick them up right away, so I think he was confused," she said.

When she arrived home, she pressed the winning ticket against the car windscreen for him to see.

"He couldn't believe his eyes, we all piled into the car together to come to Lotterywest headquarters and claim the prize,” she said.

While the win has arrived at the perfect time, the winner says the biggest benefit will be spending more time with her family and growing her newly established small business.

"It won’t change who we are, but it does mean we'll have even better school holidays, there might be a few more cocktails by the pool in Fiji,’ she said.

"We'll have a family dinner with the grandparents to celebrate, and I'm getting season passes to Outback Splash so we can have more fun during the summer holidays too."

Lotterywest spokesperson Nikki Wilson-Smith said stories like this are a reminder that prizes aren't just about the money.

"For this family, it's about creating memories together, spending more quality time with the kids and reducing the pressure of running a small business.,” she said.

"We know school holidays can be an expensive time for families, so it's lovely to see this win helping create some extra special family moments."

Lotterywest also supports a range of family-friendly events and activities across Western Australia during the school holidays, helping make arts, culture and recreation more accessible for families.

This includes the AWESOME Festival presented by Barking Gecko Arts from 29 September to 3 October, featuring performances and interactive experiences created especially for children and families.

Lotterywest also supports the Plein Air Down Under Festival in Mandurah, Australia's largest outdoor painting festival, which includes free art activities, demonstrations and exhibitions for all ages.

“The winner said despite the excitement of the prize, she is most looking forward to celebrating with the people closest to her, even if she had to run from the Winners Room to the airport!" said Ms Wilson-Smith.

Tomorrow night’s Saturday Lotto draw gives Western Australians a chance to share in a $6 million Division 1 prize pool.

Tickets are available until 6pm on draw day in-store, online or through the Lotterywest App.

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