Life-Changing Call During Dinner Wait
A 22-year-old Canberra man received life-changing news while waiting for his UberEats order and scrolling through his phone when an unknown number rang, and Oz Lotteries host Sarah Butler contacted him live on Facebook on Thursday, 15 May, delivering news of a $250,000 win through the Oz Lotteries Daily Winners competition.
Figure 1: A 22-year-old Canberra man wins a $250,000 Oz Lotto Prize
Shock and Disbelief Follow Win
Tristan initially suspected the call was a prank and said, “I thought it was one of my housemates’ pranks,” before running downstairs and putting the call on speaker for his housemate, who stood up and screamed before giving him a hug, with Tristan adding, “None of us know anyone who’s won money like this. It doesn’t feel real.”
First Steps Toward Financial Security
Tristan immediately began planning how to use the money and said his next step would be to meet a financial adviser because, in his words, “I don’t want to mess it up,” as he outlined his goal clearly, saying, “The goal is a house deposit — that’s it. If I play this right, it changes everything.”
Emotional Reaction From Family
Tristan’s mother grew emotional after learning of the win and cried while watching a replay of the livestream announcement, with Tristan saying, “Mum almost cried when she realised this means I will be able to buy a house,” and adding, “My generation can’t get into the housing market. She never thought her son would be able to buy a house.”
Biggest Daily Winners Giveaway to Date
Tristan travelled to Brisbane to collect his prize last weekend, where the money was transferred to him at Oz Lotteries’ Toowong headquarters in what became the largest Daily Winners cash giveaway to date, and Tristan admitted the excitement overwhelmed him, saying, “My hands were so sweaty,” and adding, “I barely slept a wink.”
Modest Expectations Before Surprise Win
Tristan initially believed he had won a smaller prize and thought the amount would be around $30,000, but when he realised the real figure, he said, “I just kept thinking, so many zeros,” highlighting the moment’s disbelief and magnitude.
Figure 2: Tristan aims at a house deposit with this prize money
Daily and Monthly Prizes Available
Oz Lotteries hosts Daily Winners draws offering smaller cash prizes ranging between $500 and $2,500, with larger monthly giveaways reaching up to $100,000, and Tristan’s $250,000 win marked the largest ever awarded through the Daily Winners program.
Housing Market Still Out of Reach for Many
Tristan’s story highlights housing affordability challenges for young Australians, many of whom struggle to save enough for a deposit, and his win presents a rare opportunity to enter the market early, while he remains focused on long-term financial stability through careful planning and professional advice.
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WA Celebrates Two $1 Million Winners
While Tristan celebrated his personal windfall, Western Australia also saw significant Lotto success, as two Perth households won $1 million each in Monday’s Millionaire Medley draw, with the winning tickets sold at Lakers News in Lakelands and Clarkson Lucky Lottery.
Additional Winners Share Division Two Prize
Monday night’s draw also produced three division two winners, each taking home $4,700, and Lotterywest spokesperson James Mooney said, “This follows on from Saturday Lotto’s draw, which also created two division one wins,” marking a strong winning streak for WA players.
WA Division One Wins Climb to 28
Western Australia has now recorded 28 division one wins this year, with Lotterywest continuing to track strong participation across the state and encouraging more winners to come forward.
Upcoming $30 Million Oz Lotto Draw
The next major opportunity to win comes in Tuesday’s Oz Lotto draw, which carries a $30 million prize pool, and tickets remain available both in-store and online until 6pm, with Lotterywest urging players to get in early to avoid missing out.
Financial Windfalls Offer Rare Opportunities
Tristan’s win adds to a growing list of significant payouts across Australia, and while many dream of such moments, few receive the call that changes their life, as his story underscores the value of timing, preparation, and responsible financial planning in an economy where such opportunities are increasingly rare.
