NEWSPORT NEWSFEED: Mossman gardener digs up Lotto pot of gold

Tuesday, December 3

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A Mossman landscaper has won a Gold Lotto prize of more than $736,000. Picture: The Lott

A Mossman dad is trading in his hedge clippers for a hammock, eager to say goodbye to landscaping and hello to a well-earned retirement after landing a $736,000 Gold Lotto win.

The Far North Queenslander held one of the seven division one winning entries in Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4525, drawn Saturday 30 November 2024. He scored $736,926.24.

So far in 2024, there have been 12 major lottery wins in Far North Queensland, collectively pocketing more than $14.69 million in prize money.  

The winning man took his time uncovering his newfound fortune, initially dismissing calls and messages from lottery officials as a practical joke.

“Thank you very much!” he exclaimed.

“At first, I thought it was a joke. I saw a few missed calls and texts but assumed someone was trying to trick me.

“It wasn’t until yesterday that I decided to check the winning numbers. When I saw they matched my ticket, I kept thinking, ‘Wait a minute! Those are my numbers!’

“I’ll keep the news on the downlow and just tell my children.

“I’m a pretty level-headed guy, so I won’t be going crazy. I’m looking to retire from landscaping, and this will be a great boost.

“Not to forget, this will make an extra special Christmas!”

His winning 25-game QuickPick was purchased on The Lott website – the official home of Australia’s lotteries.

The winning numbers in Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4525 on 30 November 2024 were 16, 30, 41, 8, 39 and 13, while the supplementary numbers were 38 and 28.

Across Australia, there were seven division one winning entries in Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4525 – three each in Queensland and New South Wales, and one in Victoria.

The Lott's division one winning tally has now reached 412 so far in 2024, including 115 won by Golden Casketcustomers.

In FY24, Saturday Gold Lotto created 158 millionaires across Australia.

During this time, there were 291 division one winning Saturday Gold Lotto entries across Australia that collectively won more than $436 million.

 

Here comes the rain again

Heavy rains swept across Douglas Shire and surrounds overnight on Monday, with Newsport readers sharing details of their catches from across the region.

Julatten came out on top for most recorded rainfall by our respondents, with Lisa Goodwin pouring 75mm out of the gauge this morning.

Michael Brandt said 57mm fell at St Crispins in the 12 hours to 6am today, while other measures included 44mm at Sorento Cres, Port Douglas, 36mm at Mowbray and 24mm at Craiglie… all on Monday before the overnight rains had even hit.

Flick Boucher summed it up without even taking a measurement with her comment late yesterday: “It was crazy driving back from Mossman Bowlo.’’

But Rhegan Hartwig-Lawry of Wonga Beach take the cake for best rainfall reporter this round with her rain gauge image complete with gecko.

“This is from 1pm on Saturday 30 Nov, after 24 hrs in Wonga Beach. Complete with gecko behind and all, can’t get much more FNQ than that.’’

Poll says keep splash park trees in place

Will we see protestors chained to trees in coming days? If our Snap Poll is any indication, perhaps we can expect such scenes. Newsport readers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of retaining as many trees as possible at Port Douglas’s new $3.3m splash park in an online poll conducted across the weekend. FULL STORY

 

Heatly impressive as she starts on for Matildas

Praise has been heaped on Julatten-raised international soccer player Winonah Heatley after she made her starting-team debut for the Matildas. FULL STORY

 

Help eliminate electric ants

Your help is needed in the fight to eliminate one of the world’s most invasive pests from Far North Queensland - electric ants. Householders can now book a free home check as part of the National Electric Ant Eradication Program. FULL STORY

 

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