08 April 26

FNQ Set for Life winner found: Chores no more for Cairns retirees

Set for Life
SNAPSHOT
  • A Cairns couple is looking forward to making their golden years shine and chore-free after the shock realisation they won a Set for Life division one prize over the Easter long weekend.
  • The Queensland retirees held the only division one winning entry nationally in Set for Life draw 3894 on Saturday 4 April 2026. They can look forward to $4.8 million paid in monthly instalments of $20,000 for the next 20 years.
  • The duo held an unregistered entry, which meant lottery officials had been eagerly waiting for them to check their ticket and come forward to start the prize claim process.
  • Their winning entry was purchased at Raintrees Newsagency, Shop 24, Raintrees Shopping Centre, 1 Koch Street, Cairns.

By Eliza Wregg

Updated 8 April 2026 - 9:09 am,

first published at 8 April 2026 - 9:09 am

A Cairns couple is looking forward to making their golden years shine and chore-free after the shock realisation they won a Set for Life division one prize over the Easter long weekend.

The Queensland retirees held the only division one winning entry nationally in Set for Life draw 3894 on Saturday 4 April 2026. They can look forward to $4.8 million paid in monthly instalments of $20,000 for the next 20 years.

It marked the fourth Set for Life division one win in Queensland during the past three weeks.

As the ticket was not registered to The Lott Members Club, lottery officials had been eagerly waiting for the ticketholder to check their ticket and come forward.

“We just saw in the local paper that there was a winner from Raintrees,” the shocked woman breathlessly explained to an official from The Lott.

“My husband said, ‘That’s where I bought the ticket’. Then he started looking it up on the computer. I honestly thought he was pulling my leg.

“We checked it a second and third time. You buy tickets but never in a million years think you’re going to win division one. You’re usually happy just to get a lower division.”

As the shock gave way to joy, the pair began dreaming about how their Set for Life win would help them enjoy their retirement to the full – and in the home they love.

“You’ve no idea – it’s like all our dreams have come true,” she said.

“We’ve got to that age where we really need help around the house.

“I’ve always said if we won, I’d get daily help – cleaning, gardening, all the things on the list. It just makes life a whole lot easier.

“We want to stay in our own house. We’re good, we’re just getting old. To have some help and support… it sounds wonderful.

“We’d also love to travel to Europe again – and maybe upgrade the journey. That’s always been my dream.

“It’s truly unbelievable. Just magnificent.”

The winning entry was purchased at Raintrees Newsagency, Shop 24, Raintrees Shopping Centre, 1 Koch Street, Cairns.

Raintrees Newsagency owner Mal Stokes said he was thrilled the mystery winner had been found.

“This is our fifth division one win during the past 12 years, so we’re celebrating,” he said.

“Congratulations to the winning couple. We wish them all the very best.”

The winning numbers in Set for Life draw 3894 on Saturday 4 April 2026 were 18, 25, 16, 21, 23, 30 and 7, while the supplementary numbers were 12 and 13.

Across Australia, there was one division one winning entry in Set for Life draw 3894 – the entry from Queensland.

This marks the 171th Set for Life division one winner nationally since the game began and the 13th Set for Life division one winner so far this financial year.