A Gympie man has spent more than a month in disbelief after discovering he’d won $1.6 million in a Saturday Gold Lotto draw, unsure if the life-changing news could possibly be real.
 
The Sunshine Coast resident held one of the three division one winning entries nationally in Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4563, drawn Saturday 12 April 2025 and scored $1,607,641.94.
 
The winning entry wasn’t registered to The Lott Members Club, which means we had to wait for the ticketholder to check their ticket and come forward. 
 
“It’s pretty surreal!” he laughed when we confirmed his windfall.
 
“It’s taken a lot to sink in.
 
“My mum and two uncles were big Golden Casket fans. I don’t think they did very well in terms of winnings, but they would be very happy to hear that I’ve taken home division one myself!
 
“I went to the local newsagency to check my ticket and the young girls behind the counter said they couldn’t pay out the prize. That’s when I knew it was big!

“I just had to sit and ponder the win for a month. I couldn’t believe it.

“I’ve also kept the win on the downlow. I haven’t told anyone about the win. I don’t think I will.”
 
With $1.6 million about to boost his bank account, the Queenslander shared a new set of wheels was top priority.
 
“I need a new car. I will keep the one I have and fix it up, but it’s time to upgrade it,” he exclaimed.
 
“Thank you very much!”
 
The winning entry was purchased at Nextra Gympie, Shop Sp038 Gympie Central, Cnr Bruce Hwy and Excelsior Road, Gympie.
 
Nextra Gympie owner Kelly Goatham said she was pleased to hear the mystery division one winner had now come forward to claim their prize.
 
“There were certainly a few expletives when we found out we sold a division one winning entry! My co-owner Justene thought there was a snake in the house by the way I had yelled out to her!” she said.
 
“The proof is in the pudding that we can, in fact, sell a division one winning entry! This is the first time Justene and I have sold a division one winning entry since we took over.
 
“We came in early to get our store decorated with balloons and posters, and we’ve been sharing the exciting news with all of our customers.
 
“Congratulations to the winning man! We wish him all the very best and thank him for supporting Nextra Gympie.”