The Cadbury supervisor managed to buy one drink with the proceeds of her win on the slot machines at the Mornington Tavern before someone stole her wallet and her cash.
"It was unbelievable. I won at three minutes past six and by 6.30pm it was gone . . .
"At least I was able to buy one drink for my girlfriend. I suppose that was a bonus."
Mrs Knight said she left her wallet on a bar leaner for few minutes while she went to the toilet and the bar.
Her husband, Peter, and other friends were nearby and she did not think her money was at risk.
"My husband said leaving it on the leaner was a stupid thing to do and he is probably right.
"But we all do it. We've been doing it for years."
She thinks someone walked over while she was gone and pocketed the wallet while her husband and friends were talking.
As well as the winnings, she lost about $200 of her own money plus her driver's licence and credit cards.
Police are investigating, but Mrs Knight said she was resigned to the fact she would not see the money again.
She planned to buy a handbag and wear it "all the time".
