Earlier this year, Dorothy, 84, couldn’t believe her luck when her ticket number was drawn as the winning ticket of RSL Art Union Draw 414.
She’d won a $3.5 million prize, including an apartment with stunning ocean views of Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, and over $750,000 in gold.
But at first, she didn’t want to engage with the winning call. With the fraudulent cyber security breaches occurring, she didn’t want to fall victim by speaking with a caller from an unknown number.
Dorothy waited four days before finally returning the life-changing winning call.
“I just didn’t believe it! This sort of thing doesn’t happen to people like us!” said Dorothy from the South Coast of New South Wales.
“But once it had settled-in, we certainly celebrated the winning news with a glass of bubbles!”
While she hasn’t made the move to the Gold Coast, the apartment is staying in the family – for now at least.
“I’m going to keep the apartment, it’s too lovely to sell it just yet. The outlook with that never-ending ocean view is absolutely glorious.”
“My family think it’s great that they get to take their holidays on the Gold Coast. Both of my sons have taken their families up for holidays.”
Dorothy and her husband plan to make the apartment their perfect holiday sanctuary and peaceful retreat too.
“We’re blown away by how beautiful Coolangatta and the Gold Coast is. There’s so much here in the way of cafes and restaurants and creating that holiday lifestyle.”
“I don’t think anybody here cooks! The cafes and restaurants are always full,” she jokes with her husband.
And the prize also included over $750,000 in gold, which she has used to help her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“The real benefit has come from being able to help our children.”
“We’ve been able to set-up accounts for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren, which gives me great pleasure,” she said.
“It’s such a relief to know that they’ll have money in their bank account if they need it.”
“Everybody wants to do it for their children, but not everybody can,” she said.
For anyone thinking about buying a ticket:
“Do it! Buy a ticket. Real people actually win these prizes – it can actually happen!” said Dorothy.
And, for an added sense of goodwill, each ticket sold helps RSL Queensland provide much-needed assistance to veterans and families.
“It breaks my heart when I hear stories about veterans sleeping on the streets, and I think, ‘This shouldn’t be happening! It’s thanks to them that we’ve got the country that we have!’” Dorothy said.
RSL Queensland commenced its first fundraising operations in 1956. Today, the spirit of mateship continues.
Each ticket sold goes towards supporting current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members and families through a range of services, from employment and housing to emotional and physical wellness programs.
RSL Art Union prizes really are changing lives, in more ways than one.
Draw 418 is now open, with a chance to win a $3.5 million Burleigh Beach Lifestyle, and tickets are just $5.
RSL Art Union | AU418 | $3,500,680 | Tickets $5 | Close: 8pm (AEST) Wed 28 Aug 2024 | Drawn: 10am (AEST) Wed 4 Sep 2024 | T&Cs apply
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