Imagine holding a lottery ticket worth $20 million Powerball win n your pocket and not even knowing it. That’s exactly what happened to a dad from Craigieburn, a suburb in Melbourne’s north. He had bought a Powerball ticket like he occasionally did, without thinking much of it. Since he didn’t register it online or link it to a player card, there was no automated message telling him he’d won. Days went by before he finally decided to check. That’s when he realized his life had just changed forever. “Oh my god! My heart is beating so fast—I don’t know how to control it,” he told Lott officials after confirming his win. “I’m so happy. I don’t know what to think.”
What the $20 Million Powerball Win Means for His Family
Winning that kind of money isn’t something most people prepare for. But for this lucky dad, the first thought that came to his mind was his family. “This has come at a great time for me and my family,” he said. “It’s a great blessing.” The first thing on his list? Paying off the mortgage. Like many hardworking Aussies, he had been focused on providing for his loved ones, and now, financial security was finally within reach. Then came another long-overdue plan—taking his family on their first real holiday. “My wife and children have always said we never go on holidays, and I’d love to take them to Europe,” he said. Up to this point, it was a dream that had been out of reach.
The Lucky Store Behind the Winning Ticket
The winning ticket was purchased at The Lucky Charm Craigieburn, a newsagency in Craigieburn Central. Store owner Nicole Knothe was over the moon when she heard the news. “This is such an exciting and life-altering win for one of our customers,” she said. “We would love to send all our happy thoughts to our lucky winner! We hope the win brings them joy, comfort, and the ability to change many lives for the better.” It’s not every day that a small shop sells a ticket worth millions, and the excitement was felt by both the staff and the community.
The Winning Numbers
The numbers that changed this Melbourne dad’s life were 21, 27, 9, 22, 15, 18, and 8, with the Powerball number 19.
Powerball jackpots have created countless millionaires over the years, but there’s something extra special about being the sole winner of a massive prize. This win marked the first major Powerball jackpot of 2025—and an unforgettable start to the year for one lucky family.