83-year-old, Carol Norton of Brewarrina, had "never won a thing in her life" until Tuesday 29 April when her name was drawn out in the Tour de ORAC raffle with first prize a Toyota Rav4.

Carol who has worked at Brewarrina Shire library for 22 years was shocked but excited when she heard the news.

“It was a big big, surprise,” said Carol. “I could hardly believe it when the OROC man rang me and then soon after I had a call from Toyota to say they had a car ready for me to pick up.”

“I even have to do a photoshoot at Macquarie Home Stay with the new vehicle,” she laughed.

 “I’ve always supported the Tour de OROC, right from the beginning, and when they come to town, I go down to the park to see them. I saw the raffle come up on my email this year and thought I will buy a ticket and I did, so that was my lucky day.”

“I’ve never used the facility,” said Carol, “But I know people that have and maybe if I need it one day, I can use it too.”

“It’s a wonderful building and facility, I haven’t been there, but I have seen photos and all this money raised is going towards a new wing which will be great for everyone who attends there.”

The Toyota Tour de OROC is a challenging 6-day bicycle race which takes place bi-annually.

Following its inception in 2013 to raise funds for Macquarie Home Stay, a facility which provides a home away from home for the patients and their families from outside of Dubbo who have reason to attend Dubbo Hospital, the Tour has been a much-anticipated and supported fundraiser in the region.

With over 50 percent of patients from outside of Dubbo attending Dubbo Base, the Macquarie Home Stay provides a vital service in times of treatments and emergencies for those in outlying areas.

"Everyone was very pleased the raffle prize went to someone out in our region," said South Dubbo Rotary Club member and Tour de OROC veteran David Duffy.

"Carol only bought one ticket and when we met her, she was able to tell me all about Macquarie Homestay and why it’s so important to people in places like Brewarrina."

"She was very excited and said she'd never won anything before - she was yahooing as I put the phone down."

Participants In the ride PHOTO: Ben O'Brien Tour de OROC

"It's been a very successful tour for us," Mr Duffy said.

"Our target was to be beat last year's tally of $177,000 and I think we've raised over $240,000 from the tour.

"We were amazed at the support. We don't know exactly when it will finish as the money is still coming in from people donating.”

"Hopefully we'll also win a Guinness Book of Records world record for the most sponsors on a shirt. We've got a number of sponsors already committing to a tour next October, and then they'll be every second year after that.”

"We realise how much the tour has done to increase the profile of Macquarie Homestay because the number of calls for bookings has gone up. Unfortunately, it means that they're turning away more people than ever, but the good news is that the next 26 accommodation units are well into construction, said Mr. Duffy.

Macquarie Homestay is growing and the proceeds of the raffle will build 26 more units. PHOTO: Facebook

“The car looks amazing,” said Carol “And I am truly humbled and thankful to win it, but I may need to trade it up for something more suitable for me.

“It certainly was my lucky day.”