“It’s All for My Family”: Casino Dad Wins $1 Million in Weekday Windfall

A hardworking father from Casino, New South Wales, has described his $1 million Windfall lottery win as “the best Christmas present ever.” The life-changing prize came from Friday night’s Weekday Windfall draw, just days before Christmas.

The fortunate winner held one of two division one winning entries in Weekday Windfall draw 4484 on Friday, December 20. Each winning ticket claimed a $1 million prize. His 15-game QuickPick entry was purchased at Plaza News, located at Shop 1, 169 Canterbury Street, Casino.

Tears of Joy and Gratitude

The overwhelmed winner couldn’t hold back his emotions when contacted by an official from The Lott to confirm the news.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” he exclaimed through tears. “This is the biggest blessing. I’m crying.

“I work so hard for my children and their future, and I pray every day for blessings like this for our family.

“This is the best Christmas present ever, ever, ever in my entire life!

“I work every day, and I’ll even be working over Christmas. It’s all for my family. This win is going to set us up—I’ll finally be able to buy a house. Thank you so much!”

A Thrilled Community

Plaza News owner Bill Rose shared his excitement about selling the winning ticket. “It’s so exciting! I’ve been telling customers all year that I was going to sell a winning ticket, and I did it!” he said.

“Our lovely customers will be over the moon. We’ll be spreading the good news all week. The last time we sold a division one winning entry was back in October 2018. Congratulations to the winner on this life-changing moment. We are so happy for you.”

Winning Numbers

The winning numbers for Weekday Windfall draw 4484 were 20, 45, 7, 15, 14, and 31, with supplementary numbers 42 and 4. Nationwide, there were two division one winning entries—one in New South Wales and one in Western Australia.

A Record Year for The Lott

The Lott’s division one tally has reached 225 wins so far in FY25, with 60 winners in New South Wales alone. Last financial year, the Weekday Windfall game created 99 millionaires across Australia and awarded a total of $108 million in prizes.

More Chances to Win

Opportunities for life-changing wins continue with upcoming lottery draws:

• Tuesday’s Oz Lotto offers $8 million.
• Thursday’s Powerball has $12 million up for grabs.
• Set for Life offers $20,000 a month for 20 years in tonight’s draw.

Tickets can be purchased at licenced lottery outlets, online at thelott.com, or via The Lott mobile app.

Giving Back

In FY24, The Lott contributed over $1.8 billion in state lottery taxes and donations to support community initiatives, including hospitals, health research, disaster relief, and education. Over 132.8 million winners collectively took home $4.4 billion in prize money last year, underscoring The Lott’s role in creating everyday winners.

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$15 million dollar road opens after landslide

By Samantha Elley

It’s been over three years in the waiting for residents around Naughtons Gap, since the landslide in March 2021, caused by heavy rainfalls that closed Naughtons Gap Road.

Thanks to funding of up to $15.8 million from the State government, however, long detours to Casino or Lismore are now a thing of the past.

Gracie Rambaldini-Gooding was born and bred in the area and still lives in the house she was brought up in.

“I’ve lived here lots and lots and lots of years,” she laughed.

“I went to school down here; we used to walk down this road when it was gravel.”

Taking the barriers off the road

Gracie knows what it is like to be inconvenienced with the road closed.

“I had to go through Manifold Road or Springrove Road which put an extra 25 to 30 minutes on the road and now it’s developed a lot more potholes, so you can only crawl along,” she said.

“Whereas, with our road open here it takes 10-15 minutes to get into town into Casino and 20-25 minutes to Lismore.

“It will now be back to normal.”

Official heads, those who worked on the road and neighbours, gathered last Friday to formally open the road and celebrate the long figurative journey that has been travelled to get it back to normal.

Paul and Allie Connolly’s vintage cars

“This road is a vital link for our community,” said Richmond Valley mayor Robert Mustow.

“We’ve had a lot of flak over the last 3-4 years to  ‘get the bloody thing open’.

“It wasn’t that easy but now we have a $15 million job done on a flat section of road.

“Anywhere else in the local government area would cost about $800,000 for a kilometre, this was 300 metres at $15 million which shows the enormity of the job.”

To understand the scale of the task, Richmond Valley Council General Manager, Vaughan MacDonald said this short stretch of road contained 2,500 cubic metres of concrete under it, to make sure it goes nowhere.

Cake to celebrate the opening

“We’ve got it documented on video,” he said.

“It really does show how, hopefully, in 50 years time it won’t have moved an inch.”

Casino car enthusiasts Paul and Allie Connolly brought two of their vintage cars to be the first to drive over the new stretch of road, adding to the festivity of the day.

“Richmond Valley Council deserves commendation for recognising the value of the new disaster recovery program and acting quickly on it, said NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Lismore MP, Janelle Saffin.

“They have achieved value for money and, most importantly, have improved access for the roughly 1000 motorists who were using this road each day before the March 2021 landslip.”

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“Australian lightweight champion from lil ol’ Swan Bay”

By Samantha Elley

Maddog boxing’s Sunny McLean has been going from strength to strength this past year, grabbing titles from each of the events he has been fighting in.

Sunny McLean and his coach, Scott Smith, who runs Maddox Boxing, were recently picked to represent Queensland as the fighter and coach team to compete in the national titles in Gosford.

Sunny won all his elimination bouts and beat the NSW champion in the gold medal fight, to become the newly crowned Australian champion in the lightweight division.

They were surprised with a visit from Jason and Andrew Moloney, world champion professional boxers.

“Every state in Australia was there with all the best fighters and the (Moloney brothers) came to support us, so we felt so special,” said Scott.

“They came to help me prepare Sunny for his last two fights in this event.”

Sunny was competing for Queensland as he already holds the title of QLD/NSW interstate champion.

“His first opponent, the referee stopped the fight in the 3rd round,” said Scott.

“His second opponent was the favourite from Tasmania and Sunny won that fight to go through for the gold medal against the NSW champion.

“Andy (co-trainer) and I worked out a plan to beat him and Sunny did exactly what he was asked and never last control of the situation.

“He is now the Australian lightweight champion from lil ol Swan Bay.”

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Man Charged with Domestic Violence and Knife Offences After Police Pursuit in Casino

A 35-year-old man has been charged with multiple domestic violence and knife-related offences following a police pursuit in Casino, New South Wales.

The incident occurred around 6:45 pm on Saturday, 5 October 2024, when officers from the Richmond Police District attempted to stop a Kia sedan while patrolling Centre Street, Casino. The driver allegedly failed to stop, prompting officers to initiate a pursuit. However, the chase was called off shortly after for safety reasons.

The vehicle was later found on Churchill Crescent, and when police approached, the man allegedly confronted officers with a knife. A Taser was deployed, and the man was subsequently arrested. He was taken to the hospital under police guard for assessment.

After being released from the hospital on Sunday, 6 October 2024, the man was taken to Lismore Police Station and charged with a series of offences, including:

• Contravening prohibition/restriction in AVO (domestic)
• Stalking/intimidating with intent to cause fear of physical harm (domestic)
• Hindering or resisting police officers in the execution of duty (two counts)
• Using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention (two counts)
• Escaping police custody
• Failing to stop during a police pursuit and driving dangerously
• Intimidating a police officer in execution of duty
• Carrying a knife in a public place

He was refused bail and appeared at Lismore Local Court on Monday, 7 October 2024, where bail was formally denied. The man is scheduled to appear in Grafton Local Court tomorrow, 8 October 2024.

Watercolour – an enchanting exhibition at the Cassino Gallery

By Therese Schier

Feast your senses at the Watercolour exhibition opening at the Cassino Gallery this Saturday 21^st September. Considered one of the most demanding of art forms, watercolour offers an enchanting, mystical experience for visitors.

“Watercolour painting is a subtle art that requires masterly control to reflect the elusive hues of life” Gallery president Laszlo Biro observed.

“Visitors to the exhibition will appreciate the delicate and deft touch of the artists.”

Laszlo said the Gallery, with support from Richmond Valley Council is offering a $2300 acquisitive prize to the best in show.

“Through the support of the community in attending openings, events and classes the Gallery can co-fund with the Council,” Laszlo said.

The exhibition will be judged by Northern Rivers artist, Harry Westera. Harry originally trained in drawing and oil painting at Julian Ashton’s Art School and studied Art History at Sydney University before deciding to ‘give watercolour a try’.

“Well, as many water colourists will till you, this medium can be difficult to control,” Harry said.

Chiaroscuro Old Man by Lismore artist Kevin Lawlor is one of the many paintings on display at Cassino Gallery’s Watercolour exhibition opening Saturday 21st September.

“It can at times be fun and other times frustrating. But it is well worth the effort!

“To watch the colours flow off your brush, mixing on the paper and creating images of our world in beautiful washes of colour can be very satisfying.

“It is wonderful that Cassino Gallery has attracted so many watercolour enthusiasts.”

Lismore artist Kevin Lawlor was drawn to paint his entry Chiaroscuro no 1 Old Man due to his admiration of the masters of light and dark, Michelangelo and Leonardo da vinci.

“I wanted to go to the maximum of light and dark using the Italian chiaroscuro (the treatment of light and shade in drawing and painting) of the old masters to create a haunting piece using modern media,” Kevin said.

Kevin congratulated the Cassino Gallery for having the vision to develop the gallery.

“It is an extremely brave endeavour which will bring artists together and provide a gallery for the public.”

The official opening will be held at 4pm, Saturday 21^st, $10 entry includes wine and cheese. Judge Harry Westera will announce the winner and provide comments at the event.

The exhibition will be on display during the Gallery’s opening hours: 10am to 3pm Thursday Friday and Saturday 21^st September to 12^th October with a gold coin donation.

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