Lil’s Yolky Dokey Eggs is more than a business. It is a legacy born from love: a mother’s love for her daughter, and a family’s love for the land.
In February 2018, tragedy struck when 20-year-old Lily Grace was killed in a 4WD accident. Her death shattered the hearts of her family and friends. As her mother, Jac, and partner, Gab, navigated the long and grief-filled days that followed, they found solace and purpose in one of Lily’s dreams, a dream that would soon take root and flourish.
On Lily’s bucket list was a vision for a simple yet joy-filled life: owning her own bush block, raising happy, pasture-fed hens, selling their free-range eggs, and running a beauty salon on the side. Within weeks of losing her, Jac and Gab made a bold and beautiful decision. They leased a 20ha property in Somerville and began bringing Lily’s dream to life. Lil’s Yolky Dokey Eggs was born, a tribute to Lily’s spirit and a living symbol of love, healing, and hope.
In 2022, the business moved to Main Ridge to be part of a regenerative farming mission. The move marked a new chapter, one that continued Lily’s story and at the same time improved the structure and health of the land, creating even richer soil through their farming practices.
Today, Lil’s Yolky Dokey Egg Farm sits nestled behind Torello Farm, on the very site where an old market garden once stood. “Our new home is an absolute delight for our 4000-plus hens, our dogs, and our business,” Jac said. “We sell out every week, somewhere around 22,000 eggs.”
Their “gypsy chickens”, as they lovingly call them, roam freely by day across lush green pastures. With fewer than 60 hens to a hectare, they live a true free-range existence. This low stocking density means happier hens and healthier land, producing eggs of exceptional quality and flavour.
At night, the hens retreat to their mobile caravans, where they sleep safely under the watchful eyes of their loyal protectors, seven magnificent maremma dogs. These ancient Italian livestock guardians play a vital role in the farm’s ecosystem, keeping predators at bay while maintaining a calm and natural rhythm for the flock. Together, the hens, dogs, and a dedicated team of farmers create a living, breathing example of harmony between people, animals, and place.
But the story does not stop there. “The future looks good,” Gab said with a smile. “We’re expanding into processing our spent hens, using the whole bird, and closing the loop on our farming processes.” Plans are also under way for new products, including Lil’s Yolky Dokey Mayonnaise, adding even more flavour to Lily’s legacy.
From heartbreak to hope, Lil’s Yolky Dokey Eggs is a story of regeneration in every sense of the word. Each golden yolk is a reminder of Lily Grace, whose dream continues to nurture others through the land she once imagined.
