Narelle – Mater Prize Home winner

The Mater Prize Home lottery has a history spanning over 60 years.  We always strive to bring our supporters unique homes, in amazing locations, and our Christmas prize home was no exception.

One lucky supporter—Narelle—won the keys to a canal-front home on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Drawn just before Christmas, it was not a phone call she was expecting.

As many winners do, Narelle thought someone was pulling her leg at first.

“So much was going through my mind—I knew I didn’t recognise the number, and the voice on the other end sounded very professional, it had to be real!” Narelle said at the handover of her new home just a few weeks later.

The person on the other end of the phone was Nigel Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Mater Foundation.

“I was at work, and I started crying on the phone—good tears. Everyone rushed up thinking something bad had happened—they were so happy when I told them the news. I think I cried for three days.”

Not only did Narelle win a spacious four bedroom, canal-front home on the Sunshine Coast—she also won a Sea Ray 260 Sundancer sports cruiser boat, valued at $179,885, a $2,000 travel and accommodation voucher, a $3,000 VISA gift card, PLUS an additional Book Buyer’s prize of $50,000 worth of gold bullion!

“Bruce and the boys love boats, so they can’t wait to get it on the water, and the holiday voucher has allowed us to take a holiday to Margaret River with friends.”

Narelle is a long-time VIP member in the Mater Prize Home lottery, and looks forward to receiving her brochure every month. She has worked at Radiation Oncology Mater Centre for over 14 years, so purchasing her tickets was a big deal for her.

“I started buying because I’ve always loved the houses, and it’s so good to know I’m supporting the premature babies at Mater. Bruce and I were lucky enough to have two easy pregnancies with our boys, but I know not everyone’s that lucky.”

“I’ve always said I would win it one day,” she said. “Every time I get the brochure I go through it with Bruce and my boys Aaron and Shannon, then it goes up on the fridge.”

And she was right. Narelle’s prize was valued at over $1.9 million, making her an instant millionaire.

“This win is a life changer—we have options now, and it’s amazing to know our boys will never need to struggle. Our family is set for life,” Narelle said.

Narelle and her family celebrated with a teppanyaki party on Australia Day, and enjoyed spending lots of time around their new pool—and in their brand new media room. Their friends and family were as excited as they were about the win, and enjoyed sharing the prize with them!

“It’s true that happiness spreads,” Narelle said.

“We feel very blessed to have won. The house is simply beautiful, my kitchen even has a butler’s pantry and the views from the master bedroom are amazing.  The whole family are very excited to be able to watch a movie in the theatre room too.”

Every year, six lucky supporters win a spectacular Mater Prize Home like this one—will you be next?