Kaye Falkenberg didn’t believe it when she was called by the Port Adelaide Football Club in December to be told that she and husband Kevin were the big winners in the 2011 Power Major Lottery.

After all, it’s not often someone on the end of the telephone informs you that you’re suddenly $50,000 richer.

“I just couldn’t believe it and I was sure it was a joke,” Kaye said of the phone call which came from Power Future Fund manager Sean Kirchner just days before Christmas.

“It was just a shock. He asked if I was sitting down. I said I was, but I didn’t know what to think. When he said he was from Port Adelaide I thought it might have been a membership renewal call, but it was a very nice call to receive.

“As I said, when I was told I’d won the lottery I just said: ‘What? That can’t be true.’ I’d forgotten I’d even entered.

“It really took a while to sink in and I’m not sure if I was making much sense on the phone. When I hung up I think I was on a real high there for quite a while.”

Kaye had to wait for Kevin to return home to their Cambrai farm to share the news.

“I heard a car and was sure it was Kevin and was all ready to tell him, but it wasn’t and I had to wait all afternoon,” she said.

Kaye and Kevin have been Port Adelaide members since the inaugural season in the AFL in 1997, regularly making the four-hour round trip to see the Power play at AAMI Stadium.

They are more than worthy winners, having always purchased a book of tickets in the annual lottery which is one of the club’s major fundraisers.

In receiving first prize, Kaye and Kevin had the choice of choosing the cash or a new vehicle to the same value from proud club sponsors Northpoint Toyota.

The couple toured Port Adelaide’s administration and training facility at Alberton when they came in to formally receive their prize from four-time Magarey Medallist Russell Ebert.

They were among 40 winners in all, with the second prize being an Escape to England holiday and the remainder picking up valuable Power Packs including a Power guernsey and football signed by the 2011 playing squad and a rare “Power of 10” poster signed by a club legend.

The Port Adelaide Football Club sincerely thanks everyone who entered the 2011 Power Major Lottery. It is a great way to further support your club and we hope you will be involved again when we run the lottery in 2012.