What’s Happening?
A Mackay father has claimed a $250,000 top prize after buying a scratch ticket at Mt Pleasant Shopping Centre. Initially unsure whether the win was real, he sent a photograph of the ticket to his daughter and sister.
After both family members confirmed the result, the man drove to Brisbane to collect his prize. He completed the claim on Wednesday morning, 12 August 2026, before beginning the drive home to Mackay.
Why It Matters
The prize gives the Mackay father an opportunity to pursue a long-held housing plan while supporting his children. However, he said the scale of the win was still difficult to accept.
“This is life-changing!” he exclaimed. “I’m on the highway driving back to Mackay now. I only claimed the prize this morning, so I’m still on a high!”
The winner said he needed his family to confirm the amount before he could believe it. “When I saw the prize amount on the scratchie, I wasn’t sure I’d really won $250,000,” he said.
“I took a photo and sent it to my daughter and sister to double-check. I called them, and they were shocked.”
Despite seeing the result himself, the man remained stunned by his good fortune. “Top prizes are so hard to win, so I can’t believe it’s happened to me! This win changes everything.”
Local Impact
Newsagency owner Troy Ross said his team was thrilled to sell the winning ticket to a loyal customer. He described the winner as a kind person who had visited the store for a long time.
“We’re over the moon!” Ross said. “We’ve owned the store since 2010, and we’ve sold plenty of winning tickets over the years. However, it has been a while since we last sold a major prize-winning entry.”
Ross said the result was also welcome news for the wider Mackay community. “We’re so grateful for our loyal customers, and this win is wonderful news for the local community,” he said.
“The winner is a really kind person and a loyal customer who has been visiting us for quite some time. It makes my heart feel full knowing this prize has gone to someone so deserving.”
According to Ross, major wins can sometimes feel distant to local lottery customers. However, he said Mackay had celebrated several significant prizes over the years.
“It’s also fantastic to see Mackay celebrate a top prize win,” he said. “People can sometimes feel like big wins happen everywhere else. But we’ve had plenty of exciting wins here over the years.”
Ross also congratulated the winner and his family on behalf of the newsagency team. “We couldn’t be happier for you and your family,” he said.
By The Numbers
- The winning scratch ticket cost $10 and was purchased at Shop 15, Mt Pleasant Shopping Centre in Mount Pleasant.
- During 2025, more than 121.6 million lottery winners received over $3.93 billion across official games and scratch tickets.
- Official lotteries contributed more than $1.66 billion through state taxes and donations during the last financial year. A supported charity raffle also assists more than 500 Australian causes.
Zoom In
Once the initial shock began to settle, the winner already had a clear plan for the money. His priority is buying land and creating the home he has wanted for some time.
“I’m going to buy a block of land and put an old Queenslander on it,” he said. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while.”
His plans will also include financial support for his family. “I’ll also help out my kids,” he said, before adding, “Thank you for the call!”
Zoom Out
Eligible non-winning scratch tickets can also be entered into a monthly second-chance draw. This provides ticket holders with another opportunity to receive a prize.
Lottery taxes and donations also support hospitals, health research, disaster relief and education across Australia. In addition, a not-for-profit raffle uses lottery participation to support hundreds of community causes.
What To Look For Next?
With the money due to reach his bank account, the Mackay father can begin pursuing his land and housing plans. His children will also receive support, although he has not shared further details about how the prize will be divided.
