Shop’s winning streak

By Casey Neill
TWELVE Upwey residents have won a share of $1 million.
The syndicate members will each receive more than $80,000 after their System 9 Quick Pick won them first division in the $19 million Tattslotto Superdraw on Saturday 16 February.
The winning ticket was purchased from the Upwey Newsagency.
It is the second division one winning ticket sold by the outlet in two years.
In December 2006 one customer won prize money in excess of $1 million.
The store also sold a division two winning ticket in January this year that saw a syndicate share more than $12,000.
Helen Raupach and her husband Peter have owned and run the store for just over two years.
Mrs Raupach said she did not know why the shop seemed to have the Midas touch.
“I think it’s us,” she said.
“We can’t explain why we’re having so much luck.”
She was glad a local group had the winning entry.
“It was nice that they were local people and that it was a group and not just one person,” she said.
“I think that’s why it’s special.”
Mrs Raupach said the winners were shocked and in disbelief at the win.
“You never think your numbers are going to come up,” she said.
She said the most interesting thing was what they said they would do with the money.
“They said ‘now I can buy a new car’ or ‘go on that holiday’, things that they couldn’t do before,” she said.
“It’s given them some breathing space.”
She said the newsagency had seen an increase in business following the win.
“Everyone wants syndicates,” she said.
“Syndicates are selling super fast now.”
Mrs Raupach said she had put on extra syndicates to accommodate the increase in interest.