Lottery 214: From Dreams to Reality - Jackie and Hamish’s Story

When most of us think about choices, the first thing that usually comes to mind are the small decisions we make in our everyday lives. But as we all know, sometimes a split-second decision can lead to an even bigger possibility.

For this Deaf Lottery winner, a small choice she made after seeing her dream on one of our billboard ads changed the course of her life forever.

“I was with my husband Hamish when we first saw it. There was this billboard with a motorhome, showing a getaway lifestyle trip around Australia. And I stood there and, it just made me think, this could be our chance.

"We had been dreaming of getting a caravan, travelling around Australia with our dog, Doug. Last year, we visited NSW, Victoria, and the NT. We just love getting in the car and starting a new adventure.”

And that she did. Speaking of when she first got the winning call, Jackie was filled with a sense of elated disbelief.

“I didn’t sleep a wink the night I found out. A small part of me still couldn’t believe it was real. You hear about people winning, but you never think it’ll be you. But you hope.

“I looked at every house and caravan for sale in Australia, thinking of all the holidays we’d take. We want to spend time with Hamish’s sister for the next couple of months and fly her out of Scotland. And then we’ll start thinking about what we can do next.”

In terms of what she plans to do with her $830,000, Jackie made it clear that her loyalties lie with her loved ones, as well as her sense of adventure.

“We always try to help my mum and dad as much as we can. Working this morning feels surreal—everything has changed. We could write a list of everything we want to buy. We want to take care of the little things and support the family. And after that, we’ll buy a property and start travelling.”

Security is everything for Jackie and her family. After both her and her husband’s families grew up unable to own properties, she’s looking forward to finally being able to have a foot in the door and get some stability for their future together.

“I’m an accountant, and Hamish has just started a new job as a consultant. He loves his job. Now I keep thinking we could go anywhere in Australia.

“This is our first year of marriage, so winning the lottery was like a dream come true. It’s like we’re in the honeymoon phase still, but now our future is set up for life. We're a happy little household, just renting and getting on with life. We love travelling around Australia and hope to enjoy it even more now!”

Sharing why she chose the Deaf Lottery, Jackie emphasised that her generosity stemmed from the comfort of knowing the proceeds were making a difference.

“People always say you’ve got to be in it to win it. You've got to give it a chance. And the best way to do that is to support a charity and win a prize that’s going to a good place.”

From all of us at the Deaf Lottery, we wish Jackie and her husband all the best with their winnings and future plans. It’s always a pleasure to see everyday Aussies walk away with enough to achieve their dreams.

Try your luck and secure your tickets today!