Boss’s plea after workers win $53m

A group of West Australian miners has literally struck gold after winning a share of last week’s staggering $160 million Powerball jackpot.

While at least one of them is likely to continue working, their boss quipped he would “run after them” and steal their ticket if they didn’t come back to work, upon learning 20 of his best workers had claimed the prize.

The group of 20 from the mining town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder paid $100 each for their tickets, walking away with $53 million of Thursday’s division one winnings.

Each of them pocketed about $2.65 million.

One of the miners, Peter, told 6PR Radio the realisation was “still sinking in”.

“I only thought we’d won the second division,” the 54-year-old said.

“This was a one-off because it was a big draw … it was a spur of the moment thing.

“I couldn’t believe it, I checked the ticket about 10 times.”

Chris Wood, the group’s boss, quipped he would “run after them and steal their ticket” if his employees didn’t come back to work.

He said he was still in disbelief at the news.

“They’re great workers; it is my best shift,” Mr Wood told the ABC.

“I’m ecstatic. I’m very happy for each of them. I expect I might lose them, though.”

But in a video posted to Facebook, one of the miners confirmed she would be sticking around.

“‘You know how they say, one Powerball and I’m out of here? Well, it ain’t true,” the ecstatic woman says in the video.

“I’ve known since the start of my shift and I’m still loading trucks.”

“So yeah, there’s 18 at my work who are now millionaires.”

It is the second time this year the Western Australian mining town has landed a massive lottery win, after 250 Kalgoorlie residents pooled their tickets to claim part of the $63 million jackpot in February.

Thursday’s $160 million Powerball was shared with two other winners – a Penrith dad from NSW and a man from Clyde, in Victoria.

The Clyde blue-collar worker cried “tears of joy” upon learning he’d won $53 million.

“Oh my god, oh my god. I can’t believe this!” he cried.

“Holy sh*t! Far out! I’m absolutely speechless.

“I never thought I’d get this phone call. This has changed my life!”