Lotto: Queensland man scoops $2m win and jokes about building an emu racetrack in the Whitsundays

A Cannonvale local has scratched his way to millionaire status, and he is already dreaming up all the ways to spend his winnings, starting with an emu racetrack in his own backyard.

The Airlie Beach resident held one of just five division one winning entries in Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4607, drawn September 13, and is now $2 million richer.

The Mackay and Whitsundays region has become a bona fide lucky pocket in 2025, clocking up eight major lottery wins worth a collective $21.15 million.

Had the man registered his ticket with The Lott Members Club, the news would have landed instantly on his phone. Instead, he got the shock of his life when officials called.

“Thanks mate! I can’t believe it!” he laughed when his windfall was confirmed.

“I’ve been playing Saturday Gold Lotto for two years. I never expected for this to happen to me.

“I’m still decompressing from the win. I found out Saturday morning and have been sitting on it ever since.”

Asked how he might splash the cash, the new millionaire didn’t hold back.

“I could use the money to build an emu racing track on my property between Prosperine and Airlie Beach,” he joked.

“I’ve loved emus since childhood and have always wondered if I could do such a thing. Now with $2 million – who knows!

“Some mates and I are going to go to the RSL to celebrate!”

His golden ticket was picked up at News Whitsunday, Shop T3, Whitsunday Plaza (Centro), Cannonvale, a store that quickly earned a reputation for big wins.

Owner Rich Bates said he and his team were buzzing to learn another division one winner had come through their doors.

“We’re thrilled, as are our customers. We’ve been curious about the winner for a week, and we’re glad they finally came forward,” he said.

“This will be our third Division One winning entry that we’ve sold in the last three years! We’re known by the locals as a lucky store.

“The last time we sold a division one winning entry before this win was in May 2024, which was also a Saturday Gold Lotto winner!

“Congratulations to this winner, and we wish them all the very best in the next chapter of their lives.”

The winning numbers in the Saturday Gold Lotto draw.

The winning numbers in Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4607 were 31, 13, 18, 15, 2 and 40, with supplementary numbers 36 and 26.

Australia-wide, five division one entries were drawn — two in Queensland and one each in New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia.

That pushes The Lott’s division one tally to 312 so far this year, with 73 claimed by Golden Casket customers alone.

And the millionaire-making doesn’t stop there.

In FY25, Saturday Gold Lotto minted 165 millionaires nationwide, with 341 division one wins worth more than $420 million.