After a fortnight of unanswered calls, the winner contacted NSW Lotteries to claim his prize, of $20,000 a month for the next 20 years, on Friday.

Apparently officials were unable to contact him because his phone had gone flat and he hadn’t charged it.

“I had heard news around town that there was a Set for Life first prize winning entry purchased in Gunnedah, but never thought it was my ticket!” the lucky winner said.

“This windfall won’t change me – I’ll still take life as it comes.”