The search is officially over, with a Hackham woman revealed as South Australia’s mystery $20 million Powerball winner after finally checking her ticket this morning.
The Adelaide retiree held the only division one winning entry nationally in Powerball draw 1545, drawn on Thursday 25 December 2025, taking home the entire $20 million jackpot. Until today, officials from The Lott had no idea who the winner was, with the unregistered ticket leaving them eagerly waiting for the ticketholder to come forward.
That moment arrived this morning, triggering an emotional call from The Lott confirming the life-changing news.
“My hands are shaking! I can’t believe it!” the woman exclaimed when her prize was confirmed. “Honestly, you often wonder what people feel like when they win this much money. It’s incredible. I’m shaking like a leaf.”
The winner said the ticket had been sitting in her purse since Christmas, unchecked amid a busy week. “I had no idea until I checked the ticket just now. It’s been in my purse the whole time, but I had a lot going on this week so hadn’t got around to checking it.”
Although she’d heard news reports about a winning ticket sold in South Australia that hadn’t yet been claimed, she never imagined it could be hers. “I’d heard that a winning ticket has been sold and hadn’t been claimed. I had a bit of a smile on my face just in case it was me, but never in million years would I have thought I’d won $20 million. Wow! This does a lot.”
Still processing the shock, the retiree said her first thoughts weren’t about luxury purchases or big celebrations, but about helping others.
“There’s a few things that come to mind. Helping my family, but also giving money to some of my favourite charities,” she shared. “A lot of people could do a lot of good with this money. I always like to give where I can, no matter what amount. Now I can give a little more.”
She described the moment as surreal, admitting the reality of the win was yet to fully sink in. “You dream of it happening, but you just don’t think it will happen to you. It hasn’t sunk in. It just hasn’t sunk in. But I’m starting to get really excited! It’s a good start to 2026!”
The winning ticket was purchased at Colonnades Lotto Kiosk, Shop KI104, Noarlunga Centre on Beach Road. The winning numbers in Powerball draw 1545 were 7, 23, 29, 20, 11, 16 and 17, with Powerball number 17.
Across Australia, there was just one division one winning entry in the draw, making the South Australian win even sweeter. The Lott’s division one tally has now reached 209 so far this financial year, including 14 wins by SA Lotteries customers.
Please gamble responsibly.
