Jeni and Ray Bonell planned for four kids—but ended up with 16, becoming Australia’s largest family. Living in Toowoomba, their home is filled with kids aged 10 to 35, plus grandkids, making life busy, loud, and full of love.
Jeni spends around $600 weekly on groceries, buying 50 liters of milk, dozens of eggs, and more to feed the crowd. Daily life is a mix of school runs, sports, chores, and dinners for 20. She shares budget meal tips online, sometimes feeding the whole family for just $2 per person.
Kids start helping from age eight, and by 12, some cook full roast dinners. With six loads of laundry a day and no government support, the family runs on planning, teamwork, and faith.
Through it all, Jeni and Ray stay strong as a couple.
Their story shows how love, humor, and routine can keep even the biggest families running smoothly.
