A Geebung retiree has discovered a $4 million windfall after his son helped him check an online entry several days after the winning draw. The north Brisbane man held the only division-one winning entry nationally in draw 1697.
His six-game QuickPick secured the entire $4 million division-one prize. The result on 25 August placed the multimillion-dollar win just south of Aspley, in neighbouring Geebung.
Son uncovers the multimillion-dollar result
The retiree remained unaware of the size of his prize until his son visited at the weekend and helped check the entry. His son confirmed that the numbers had delivered a $4 million division-one win.
News of the result left the elderly Geebung resident emotional when he later made contact with officials. He had gone several days without knowing that his entry was the sole division-one winner recorded across Australia for the draw.
Phone habit keeps winner out of reach for a week
Attempts had been made to contact the winner each day after the draw because his entry was linked to an online account. Officials were unable to reach him until he made contact about a week later.
The retiree said he routinely kept his phone switched off, explaining why the repeated calls had gone unanswered. His circumstances differed from many unclaimed-prize cases because organisers had contact details associated with his entry but could not reach him.
Travel and family visits among plans for the money
The Geebung man said the $4 million would give him an opportunity to travel and see more places. He also planned to visit members of his late wife’s family who live up north.
No further details were provided about his intended destinations or when he expected to travel. His plans were among the first changes he identified after learning the full value of the prize.
QuickPick entry takes the only division-one prize
The winning six-game QuickPick was purchased online, with the numbers generated for the entry rather than individually selected by the player. Numbers drawn on August 25 were 4, 27, 43, 2, 21, 47 and 33, while the supplementary numbers were 17, 12 and 19.
Only one division-one entry was recorded nationally in draw 1697. The successful entry belonged to the Geebung resident, giving him the full $4 million first-division prize.
Unclaimed prizes can remain available for years
Unclaimed prizes most commonly arise because people have not checked their tickets and do not realise they have won, according to an unclaimed-prizes fact sheet. Prizes remaining unclaimed for longer than a week or two are described as relatively rare.
Queensland winners have up to seven years to claim a prize. Anyone who believes they hold a winning ticket is advised to keep it safe and contact the organiser on 131 868 to confirm the result and begin the claim process.
People whose winning tickets have been lost, stolen or damaged are advised to make contact as soon as possible. A verification process is available, although clear and irrefutable evidence may be required when an unregistered ticket cannot be produced.
Published 30-Aug-2026
