A Holiday To Remember & A Cause Close To Her Heart - Maureen's Win

When Maureen received the call about her big MS Lotteries win, she couldn’t believe it. “At first, I couldn’t believe! I let the call go to voicemail, and even when I saw the email confirming it, I had to double-check my ticket to make sure it was real. Once it sank in, I couldn’t wait to ring my husband. We were over the moon!”

The timing of the win couldn’t have been better. Maureen had already been planning a trip to New Zealand, to celebrate her first wedding anniversary. Winning the holiday allowed her and her husband to turn it into the trip of a lifetime. Instead of choosing the $10,000 cash prize, Maureen opted for an unforgettable experience. “You can’t put a price on memories,” she explains.

The couple stayed at the stunning Azur Lodge, nestled in the heart of Queenstown with panoramic views of the mountains. “It was everything we could have dreamed of,” Maureen shares. “The location was magical—you’d open your curtains to see the mountains, it felt like our own private paradise. The staff were incredible, too. They thought of everything and made us feel so special.”

One of the highlights of their trip was taking a helicopter ride to visit the glacier, an adventure Maureen will never forget. “It was breathtaking! We got to see the most amazing views, and the staff at the lodge made it all so easy. They arranged everything for us, from transport to tickets, so we didn’t have to worry about a thing.

The holiday was the perfect escape after a tough year. “My husband had retired, we’d faced some health challenges, and I’d just had a shoulder replacement,” she explains. “We were both exhausted, so this trip was exactly what we needed. We came back with so many beautiful memories.”

Maureen hasn’t stopped talking about her win with family and friends. “People say to me, ‘Oh, people really do win these things?’ And I just smile and say, ‘Yes, they do”.

But for Maureen, supporting MS Lotteries has always been about more than the prizes. She’s been a dedicated supporter since 2017 – beyond the joy of winning, Maureen’s connection to MS Lotteries runs deeper. As a former nurse, she’s long been aware of the challenges posed by neurological conditions.

“I’ve seen how MS can completely change someone’s life. It’s heartbreaking to watch young people adjust to such big challenges,” she says.

Her connection to the cause is deeply personal. Maureen has close friends whose children live with MS, and she’s seen the impact it’s had on their families. “The support they’ve had to give is incredible—it’s not something you can do alone. That’s why organisations like MS Queensland are so important.”

Her cousin’s recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s has also strengthened her commitment to supporting neuro conditions. “It took two years for his diagnosis, and by then, the condition had really taken hold. If it had been caught earlier, it could have made such a difference. Neurological conditions like these are life-changing, and people need all the support they can get.”

“The systems we have in place aren’t always equipped to provide the extra services people need. MS Queensland does amazing work supporting individuals and families affected by neurological conditions.”

Knowing her ticket purchase helps fund vital support services means the world to Maureen. “The work MS Queensland does is amazing. They don’t just look at the condition—they focus on the whole person and their wellbeing. That’s why I’ve been a supporter for so long. Even if you don’t win, you’re making a difference for people who really need it."