It is the first competition Maungatapu social work lecturer Emma Webber-Dreadon has entered for many years - but if her family have their way it won't be the last.

On Monday Emma's name was drawn out of 500 entries in Car Connexxions' draw of former customers to win a sporty 2005 Mazda Axela 20S.

Emma Webber-Dreadon with the Mazda Axela 20S she won at Car Connexxions.

Car Connexxions dealer Jono Allen recognised her name as soon as it was drawn and is happy to see it go to 'such a deserving local person”.

'I've sold over 2000 cars at Car Connexxions and I was so pleased to hear it was her,” says Jono, who organised the giveaway to a lucky customer to celebrate the dealership selling 10,000 cars.

Emma, who is still on ‘Cloud Nine' after the win, gave up gambling more than 35 years ago after an unlucky day.

In a last-minute decision Emma decided to change her $1weekly bet numbers for the first time, the same day her old favourite horse numbers would have won her a trifecta.

'I would have won $73,000,” says Emma, who believed her luck ran out that night.

Urged by her son-in-law to enter the Car Connexions' contest, Emma was only convinced when she remembered how good Jono is to deal with.

'He didn't treat me like a silly woman with dumb questions.”

Despite the change in her luck, Emma has no plans to start up her $1 weekly bet. She intends to continue lecturing, along with taking on the 'tough” part time job as a youth advocate in the Youth Court.