DJ Robertson wins Sunday Territorian BINGO 2023

For the first time since 2019, the NT News and Sunday Territorian’s bingo competition has gone off, with the lucky winner tracked won at his local pub.

The first words DJ Robertson uttered after being told he had won the Sunday Territorian’s $74,500 BINGO jackpot were ‘ya kidding!’.

The 72-year-old pensioner was stunned to discover he was the lucky winner, the first since 2019, when NT News editor Melanie Plane and general manager Kirsten Porteous tracked him down at the Parap Tavern on Friday morning.

After failing to reach the retired railway line welder on the phone or find him at home, Melanie and Kirsten were directed to his local pub by a neighbour and found DJ and his mobility scooter parked up at Parap.

Sunday Territorian bingo winner DJ Robertson with his cheque for $74,500 at Parap Tavern.

While initially lost for words, DJ said he had been entering the bingo contest with the same numbers every week since the day it started and the win would be ‘life changing’.

“I’m flabbergastered for words mate, for once,” DJ said.

“I’m going to have to sit down and have a drink.

“It is going to mean a lot to me mate, I can get a lot of stuff for my little unit that I rent.

“I can get some new clothes, a new frying pan, a new TV remote and a new phone because mine is stuffed. I’ve had it for 23 years and now I’ve gotta get a new one, they cost a bit of money and when you’re on the pension that’s a big chunk of money out of your pension.”

Sunday Territorian bingo winner DJ Robertson with his cheque for $74,500 at Parap Tavern.

DJ, who is originally from Port Augusta in South Australia but has lived in Darwin for nearly 30 years, said when he was first told by the pub staff there were some women looking for him, he never expected it to be for a bingo win.

Sunday Territorian bingo winner DJ Robertson with his cheque for $74,500, and his daily newspaper.

“I thought ‘oh, somebody’s died’ and then when I saw you ‘I’ve never seen these lunatics in my life’,” he laughed.

“I’ve only got a sister left in the family and I’ll somehow get hold of her tonight and let her know.

“It is going to mean a nice holiday down to see her in Port Augusta.”

DJ said he bought the paper every day, and proved it by lifting the cushion on his mobility scooter, which he also plans to replace with his winnings, to reveal a copy of Friday’s edition tucked away from the rain.

The Sunday Territorian BINGO contest resets from this Sunday’s edition, starting at $15,000.

Remember, if there are no winners, BINGO jackpots each week by $250. Simply pick up your copy of the Sunday Territorian, fill in your chosen 6 numbers and send in your entry form.