29/06/2026
To our wonderful customers, our neighbours and our friends,
When the avian influenza outbreak swept through our region, we found ourselves standing at the foot of an impossible decision—one that no farmer ever wants to make. We could either risk exposing our cherished hens to a virus that was devastating flocks everywhere, or we could keep them safely indoors for a short period to shield them from harm. We chose the latter, driven not by laziness or cost-cutting, but by a desperate, sleepless-night fear of losing the very lives we are sworn to protect.
In doing so, we made a grave error—not in our intent, but in our silence. We failed to pick up the phone and explain this temporary measure to you, our community. For that failure in communication, we are profoundly, deeply sorry.
We are also grateful—truly grateful—to the observant customer who noticed our hens were indoors and raised the matter with the ACCC. We do not see that customer as an accuser; we see them as a guardian of the standards we ourselves hold dear. They reminded us that trust is not given freely—it is earned every single day. When the ACCC investigated, we did not make excuses. We accepted the penalty with humility and paid it without hesitation, because rules exist to protect the integrity of our industry, and we fully support that.
Since that difficult chapter, we have done a great deal of soul-searching. We have looked inward as a team, challenged our own habits, and asked ourselves what integrity truly demands of us. We are not here to make grand claims or list off changes we cannot guarantee. What we can offer is something far more honest: our sincere, daily recommitment to doing right by our hens and by you. That commitment is not ink on paper — it is the quiet, persistent work of showing up, paying attention, and never forgetting how easily trust can be broken.
We know that words are cheap, and that trust takes years to build and only moments to break. This is especially true given that H5 bird flu has now been confirmed in Australia for the first time. While detections so far have been in migratory seabirds and not in poultry, the entire industry is on high alert. Like all responsible farmers, we are strictly following government biosecurity protocols and staying informed through official channels. The safety of our hens — and of the eggs that reach your table — remains our highest priority.
We also believe in keeping you informed — not just when things go wrong, but every step of the way. For the latest official information on bird flu, we encourage you to visit
www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu .
While we cannot open our farm gates as freely as we would like during this challenging time, we are opening our hearts and our communication channels instead. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out — we are here to listen, to answer, and to show you, in every way we safely can, that we are committed to honesty and accountability.
To every customer who has stuck with us through this—and to those who are giving us a second chance—please know that we do not take your loyalty for granted. We carry it with us every single morning when we open those coop doors. We ask for your grace, not because we deserve it yet, but because we are committed to spending every day proving that we are worthy of it.
With a humble heart and an unshakable resolve to do right by you,
Doreen Egg Farm
