By Shelby Brooks
Having never won anything in her life, Tooradin’s Cristie Wilson hit the jackpot when she was the one millionth guest of the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel back in 2016.
She was on an outing with a mother’s club with her daughter Lexie when the group were told one of them was the millionth person to ride the wheel.
“I had never been on the wheel before but I have been many times since,” Cristie said.
The lucky millionth person would win an all expenses paid two week holiday to Japan.
“Apparently there were signs up everywhere for the competition but we hadn’t noticed them,” Cristie said.
“I had never won anything in my life, not even a meat tray raffle.”
The group included four mothers and nine children so the chances of Cristie being the winner was small.
“We looked at each other asking is this for real?” she said.
“But they pointed to me and said you’re the millionth guest and I think I just went ‘ahh!’
“It was amazing.”
On Monday 6 September, MB Star Properties Pty Ld announced the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel would be permanently grounded.
“The giant observation wheel has been a part of the city’s skyline for more than 15 years, during which time we have welcomed millions of guests from Australia and all over the world,” a statement read.
“Unfortunately, the global Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions and sustained shutdowns, adding to pre-existing challenges of operating amid increased high-rise development and changes in the Docklands area, has made it impossible to sustain the business.”
Cristie said she was disappointed it was shutting down.
“I am a bit sad about it closing,” she said.
“But I can’t help thinking that if it was placed further in Melbourne city, like along Birrurung Marr or similar it would have been a lot more popular.”
