28 January 2021

Canberra Defence Force member set for life with $4.8 million windfall

| Michael Weaver
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Person holding house keys and winning lotto ticket.

The Set for Life division one prize winner will scoop $4.8 million paid over 20 years. Photo: Supplied.

A Canberra man in his early 20s will receive $4.8 million, paid in instalments of $20,000 a month for 20 years, after being declared the sole division one winner of the Set for Life draw 2001 yesterday (27 January).

The Canberra man, a member of the Australian Defence Force, said he would have to call in sick and spend the day celebrating.

“Oh my God, I am supposed to be working today, but there’s no way I will be able to. This is really good! This is crazy. This is so crazy,” he said after being contacted by The Lott to confirm the windfall.

The winner held the only division one winning entry in the Set for Life draw and was oblivious to the win until contacted by The Lott.

“Is this even real? I don’t know how to feel! I don’t know what to do,” he said.

When asked how he planned to enjoy his prize, the young man said he was “definitely going to look after my parents”.

“Then I might get myself a house. I am sure there will be a few holidays and investments too.

“I am sure I will keep working; I want to be sensible with my prize.

“It’s just so crazy to think about!”

READ ALSO Canberra finds its $11 million man after massive Lotto win

The winner’s life-changing 25-game QuickPick entry was purchased online.

The winning numbers were 18, 43, 35, 41, 1, 23 and 5, and the supplementary numbers were 17 and 30.

This win marks the 72nd Set for Life division one winner nationally since the game began and the second Set for Life division one winner so far this calendar year.

In 2020, there were 16 Set for Life division one winners across Australia who will receive $76.8 million over the next 20 years.

The latest winner joins several other lucky Canberrans who have won big lately.

A Charnwood man won more than $11 million in October last year, while another Canberran won almost $1 million two weeks later.

When two long-time Canberra friends accidentally doubled up buying their regular Oz Lotto tickets in April last year, it netted them the only division one in Australia of $2,289,010.50.

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