In the quiet town of Bundaberg, with a population just shy of 2,000, the local cafe is the heart of the community. It’s where news is shared, friendships are forged, and for the last ten years, where a group of ten neighbours have been pooling their money for a weekly Saturday Lotto ticket. They called themselves the "Bundy Dreamers." Last month, their dream came true.
Margaret, a retired schoolteacher and the group's de facto leader, still can't quite believe it. "I was checking the numbers on Sunday morning, same as always," she recalls, her eyes sparkling. "I saw the first three, then the fourth... by the sixth, my hands were shaking so much I had to call my husband, John, to double-check. We just stared at it. Disbelief. Pure, wonderful disbelief."
"It was never about getting rich. It was about sharing a little bit of hope every week. The win just made that hope tangible."
More Than a Payout
The syndicate's win was a share of a $5 Million Division 1 prize, netting each member just under $500,000. For many, it was a life-changing sum. But what happened next is what makes this story truly special. Instead of planning solo luxury holidays or buying new cars, the group’s first decision was a collective one.
"We all met at the cafe, of course," laughs David, a local mechanic and another member of the group. "And the first thing on everyone's mind was the community hall. The roof has been leaking for years, and the kids' playgroup had to keep cancelling meetings. We knew, almost without saying it, what we had to do."



A Ripple Effect of Good
The group pooled a portion of their winnings to not only fix the community hall's roof but to give it a complete makeover. They repainted the walls, installed a new kitchen, and built a brand-new, safe playground outside. The project brought the town together, with non-winning residents volunteering their time to help with the work.
The story of the "Bundy Dreamers" is a powerful reminder that a lottery win can be about so much more than individual wealth. It can be a catalyst for community spirit, a tool for positive change, and proof that sometimes, the best dreams are the ones you share.