Queensland man shares his unusual emu-related plans for $2 million lotto win

A Queensland lotto winner has revealed big plans for his windfall - including a racing track starring one of our national animals.

The Cannonvale man was one of the five jackpot winners in Saturday's Gold Lotto draw, taking home $2 million.

The Mackay-Whitsundays region has been a hotspot for lotto wins in 2025, with eight major winners so far this year bagging more than $21.15 million collectively.

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"I've been playing Saturday Gold Lotto for two years. I never expected for this to happen to me," the man said.

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

And he's dreaming big about what to do with his winnings.

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

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

But first, he said, he was heading to the local RSL with some mates to celebrate.

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The man purchased his winning ticket at News Whitsunday in Whitsunday Plaza Centro, Cannonvale.

"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," store owner Rich Bates said.

"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."

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