Brisbane woman Lucy* was physically shaking when told she’d won RSL Art Union Draw 403 in March, scooping the $6.3 million Noosa Villas prize – just weeks before her 60th birthday.
In a ‘dream come true’, Lucy now owns two stunning villas, with more than $300,000 worth of furniture and appliances throughout. Each has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, while one boasts a private pool, and the other has shared pool access.
“It’s not quite real,” Lucy said. “Not at all. It hasn’t sunk in yet. It still feels a bit of a dream and you’re going to wake up soon and realise.”
Lucy now has a lot to consider. She could move into one villa to enjoy the iconic Noosa lifestyle and rent out the other for an estimated $80,600 per year or rent out both for $161,200. Lucy, who won with a $10 ticket, could also choose to sell one or both villas to become an instant multi-millionaire.
“This win has definitely given me more financial freedom,” she said. “When my husband died, my retirement plans were limited. This win has definitely eased those concerns. However, like any great shock in life I’m going to let it sink in and decide slowly on my next steps. I don’t see myself retiring yet, but I now have the confidence to do so comfortably if I choose.”
Lucy now owns two stunning villas. (Image: supplied)
It was after her credit card was hacked that Lucy decided to become an RSL Art Union VIP member in 2020.
“I had to stop everything on that card and transfer it to another one,” she explained. “When I finally got my card sorted, I said, ‘Right, we’re going to automatically do this and I never have to think about it and I’ll just automatically have a ticket in every draw.”
Growing up, her family had a holiday house at Maroochydore ever since her mother was a teenager.
“We were lucky enough to have a holiday home our family would frequent, and it always made for such great memories,” Lucy recalled fondly. “My son said to me, ‘I can’t believe that we’ve now got a holiday house.’ It’s sort of profound that now I’m able to supply the next generation of the family with the same great holiday adventures and memories. My children and their children and future cousins can all grow up together as well.”
She now has a holiday house for her whole family. (Image: supplied.)
Lucy’s son said their grandad’s ashes are out at Noosa beach.
“We met at Noosa and got married at Noosa two years ago now. So Noosa makes sense, so lovely,” he said.
Lucy’s message to others is you’ve got to be in it to win it.
“A lot of people are very angry with me at the moment, of course a lot of people are also very happy for me, too! I would tell people to not hesitate,” she said. “You build these marvellous homes for the right reasons. You can’t dream about winning a prize home unless you buy a ticket!”
RSL Art Union’s Draw 406 is now open, for the chance to live for free. Tickets cost just $5 and can be bought here, www.rslartunion.com.au/prizes/draw406
Every ticket sold supports veterans and their families.
*Lucy’s name has been changed for privacy reasons.
