<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Only a relative few people will ever know what it's like to score a life-changing amount of money off a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/lottery" rel="" target="_blank" title="lotto"><span>lotto</span></a><span> win, but now everybody can get a glimpse of what it's like.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ahead of tomorrow night's $80 million </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/powerball" rel="" target="_blank" title="Powerball"><span>Powerball</span></a><span> draw, The Lott has revealed a look at the Winners Lounge, where the lucky few claim their prize.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The lounge includes a visitor book, where major winners record their first, unfiltered thoughts about what their future now looks like.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/celine-cremer-missing-backpacker-tasmania-search-recovers-car-key-bones-teeth/50f045c1-c7cf-4f14-97ae-f029ee3da945" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>More remains, car key found in search for missing backpacker</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The handwritten notes reveal personal moments of disbelief, gratitude, and joy, alongside plans to support family, travel, and pursue long-held dreams.</span><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Big moments of gratitude</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Above all else, the winner's visitor book is a place for big feelings and bigger moments of gratitude:</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/lotto-winners-reveal-first-reactions-to-life-changing-wins-ahead-of-80-million-powerball-draw/2fe49627-6650-4c3c-a1ab-260efb4ea39b" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Something incredible has happened. This is a life-changing amount of money. It has come into my life quietly, unexpectedly, and with so much gratitude. I don't have the words to explain how grateful I am."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-gen-z-saving-money-finance/2997d3ed-70ca-4f75-8f05-8fd79a32ce5c" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Have Gen Z finally defied the smashed avo stereotype?</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"After 40 years of working 50-60-hour weeks, to be blessed like this is incredible. A new way of living starts today."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Just being able to help all my family makes me cry. You never think it will happen to you. $3.88 got me $628,568.41."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We'll be able to live life to the fullest and not just exist."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/tobacco-kingpin-kazem-kaz-hamad-held-in-iraq/5cbedafb-174e-46e3-86fb-2be91dbf964c" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Alleged Australian tobacco kingpin arrested in Iraq</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Family comes first</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Amid the excitement, supporting family remains a priority for Australian lottery winners:</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Family! Make the most of this, with those special."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It means I will be able to help my children and grandchildren in ways I never dreamed possible."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This is a family win that will be used to pay off our families' home mortgages."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Holidays dominate</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Holidays remain a common thread – often written in all caps, circled, underlined, followed by several exclamation marks:</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Holiday, holiday, holiday!!!"</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Can't wait to travel the world."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Number-one priority is to fly business class to visit family overseas."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Unique dreams</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Meanwhile, some winners shared their wonderfully unique plans for their prizes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I'll be able to buy a new cricket bat without my wife whining."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I plan to adopt a million billion shiba-inus!"</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Heaps of new guitars! (Sorry in advance to my wife)."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I aspire to buy a house and have a good, simple farm life."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thursday's $80 million jackpot is the largest of 2026 so far, and the highest it's climbed in five months.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Lott spokesperson Eliza Wregg said a huge rush on ticket sales was anticipated.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>There are many different ways to get help and information about gambling. You can visit the National Gambling Helpline or call on 1800 858 858.</span></strong></div></div>