North Melbourne cleaner sweeps $80 million in lotto

A local man who lost his job during lockdown and was working as a cleaner to make ends meet has become Australia’s third-biggest lottery winner ever.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, nabbed the winning $80 million Powerball prize in August during Melbourne’s sixth lockdown, not long after buying a house in North Melbourne and losing his job due to the pandemic.

The overwhelmed winner said he would use his mind-boggling prize to set up his children for life, and having experienced his fair share of hardship, help as many people as possible.

“I am so excited. I checked my ticket late last night. I couldn’t sleep after that!” the middle-aged family man said.

“I lost my job during one of the many lockdowns here in Melbourne. We had only just bought a home and didn’t see it coming. I’ve been working as a cleaner ever since to make ends meet.”
“Like for so many people, these lockdowns have been really tough for our family. But I’ve always said, you’ve just gotta keep trying. Now, look what’s happened!”

With $80 million in his bank account, the ecstatic local who is now Victoria’s largest Powerball winner said he wanted to make life better for his family and anyone he could help.

“I am certainly keen to pay off the mortgage and the other bills we have to begin with,” he said.
“We’re going to set our kids up for life. That will be an incredible thing to be able to do. I am going to try and help everyone!”
“There’s so much we will be able to do with this prize. It will change so many people’s lives!”

The winning numbers in the Powerball draw were 17, 10, four, 26, 19, 23 and 21, with the all-important Powerball number coming in as seven •