Thousands front for chance to win one million dollars

By Dean Taylor

Thousands of shoppers who took part in the ‘Be In With A Chance To Win $1 Million’ promotion turned out at Albert Park on Sunday hoping to become a millionaire.

Organiser Brett Watson was rapt with the response to the promotion and the turnout for the draw of 25 lead-up prizes and the name of the person who had the chance to win the $1 million.

The lucky shopper was Jeanette Quin, who with her daughters Michelle and Natalie, decided envelope 41 might hold the winning money. It didn’t - but the consolation prize of a $6000 home theatre package with huge plasma television was much appreciated.

Mrs Quin says she wasn’t even thinking about being called - she was wondering whether she might know whoever the lucky person was.

A feature of the event was the small number of redraws required for people not present. Most people called were at the draw, and every one of them won a prize with a minimum $500 value, with some valued at over $2000.

Valid entry tickets had to be mixed by a Bowers Concrete truck such was the support for the promotion. The thousands of entries were mixed and then spun down the shute into a bin, where the draws were made from. All tickets were returned for a final mix and another batch was then spun out and the lucky winner drawn by Mayor Alan Livingston.

To conclude Bob Andrews of GAB Robbins then announced envelope 28 held the $1 million, and Mr Watson opened the envelope and revealed the winning content.

Mr Watson says he is looking forward to a break after a hectic time organising the promotion. He said he had heard a lot of positive feedback and felt the atmosphere was akin to the giant jackpot at Waipa Racecourse in the 70s.