There has been a gold rush of a different kind in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, where a local lottery syndicate has won a share of $63 million.
The 250-strong group titled "Goldfields, let's pay our mortgages" had one of two winning tickets in Thursday night's $127 million Powerball jackpot.
The syndicate's members will pocket around $250,000 each.
One of the winners smiling ear to ear at City News in Kalgoorlie this morning was bank worker Kira.
She said she was in disbelief when she realised she had won.
"We just kept checking the ticket and not believing it," Kira said.
The same newsagency sold a ticket worth $21 million in 2006 and Kira said this win would give owners Kevin and Tania Parkes a boost.
"They do absolutely massive amounts for the community here, they support everything," Kira said.
She also pocketed an extra $2,000 thanks to a ticket in another Kalgoorlie syndicate.
"It's absolutely amazing for the town," Kira said.
Another winner, Jane, was also at the newsagent this morning.
"It's just unbelievable, really, what a feeling," she said.
Spending the windfall wisely
Jane said she was waiting until the initial emotions subsided before she decided what to do with the winnings.
Jane said she was feeling extra blessed with her daughter coming to visit from New Zealand next week with two newborn grandchildren that she has not met due to COVID.
"She's actually coming home next Friday so this has been like — what a week!" she told Nadia Mitsopoulos on ABC radio.
Jane said she would be taking her daughter out for an extra special dinner to celebrate.
Kira and Jane both said they would still head to work this morning, but with an extra spring in their step.
