The Ballina resident's initial reaction to the news was disbelief. "Bloody hell! Is this my cousin pranking me?" she said after receiving a call from Powerball operator The Lott confirming her division one win. She was the only person in Australia to correctly match all seven numbers plus the Powerball number on Thursday night.
The winner's $100 million jackpot places her among Australia's largest lottery winners in history, ranking as the country's third-biggest prize. She purchased her entry online, adding to the randomness of her windfall.
The woman attributed her extraordinary fortune to spiritual intervention. "We recently had a death in the family, and I think it's a sign from them; they're so looking after me!" she explained. She reported experiencing signs throughout the day, describing objects moving and items waving in the wind as confirmations of the family member's involvement in her luck.
Her immediate plans center on practical and generous use of the funds. She intends to pay off her mortgage and assist family members in need. "This will help a lot of people. Not just me but lots of family members," she said. Her celebration will be modest by comparison: "Celebrating with breakfast in bed tomorrow - scrambled eggs and bacon for me!"