By Eden Hynninen
Tamsyn Murray and her son Josh have spent a decade not just selling eggs but building a strong brand through sustainability and education.
In 2009, a then nine-year-old Josh wanted to make some pocket money and asked his mum if he could sell the eggs from their pet chickens.
From selling to neighbours and farmers markets, 10 years on the family now has 10,000 hens and is on the shelves of 50 supermarkets throughout Victoria, including Coles and Woolworths.
As the face of ‘Josh’s Rainbow Eggs’ in Monegeetta, Josh prides himself on ethical free-range practices and a decade of trust built with customers.
“We want to make sure the hens live the best possible life they can. All the hens go outside every day and they live in solar-powered mobile sheds,” he said.
“Ethical eggs are hard to find, so we want to make sure we build trust with our customers and that we give our hens the best possible life.
“Mum and I have spent a lot of time visiting supermarkets with our hens to educate consumers. Customers always ask for my eggs at the store, demand is coming from the customers in the supermarket.”
Dr Murray said throughout their journey Josh had learnt invaluable lessons, not just in business but in life.
“He’s met with thousands of different people, learning how to communicate with shoppers, executives and people at the markets,” she said.
“He’s had to learn about life and death with the animals and how to live ethically and sustainably.”
Dr Murray has a PHD in agriculture and spent time in the Peruvian Amazon as a researcher.
Josh is now studying his bachelor of business at university with a keen interest in marketing.
He has won several awards over the past 10 years, including winning Small Business Champions Award for Agriculture and Young Achiever Award for Environmental Sustainability in 2019.
“My dream is to bring people to the farm and show them what we are doing,” Dr Murray said.
“We are going completely off-grid using solar and renewable energy.
“I think it would be great for kids to see how we produce our product sustainably and ethically by creating a learning centre.
“Our business is a great story with a family farm and watching Josh grow up – it has resonated so well with people.
“We are connected to the land and we care about our animals.”
Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas visited their farm last week to talk about their future plans.
“I’m proud the Macedon Ranges is leading the way, showcasing sustainable and ethical farming, and I look forward to working with Josh’s Eggs on their ideas to grow understanding of food production,” she said.
Every week the family sends fresh ethical eggs directly to Australian food charities – they have already donated a total of 420,000 eggs so far.
For more information visit www.joshsrainboweggs.com.au.
