The Weekly Grill

S2 Ep 6: The bottom-to-the-top story of beef processing plant manager, Wasa Mudannayake

The Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on beef processing plant manager Wasa Mudannayake. Sri Lankan born Wasa has experienced an extraordinary career path, starting in the casual labour queue at Beenleigh, before rising through the ranks to become general manager at Teys Lakes Creek – one of the largest meat plants in Australia.

wasantha mudannayake

In a wide-ranging conversation, the pair touch on topics including the challenges surrounding attracting labour to the processing industry, and the crucial involvement the plant has with the Rockhampton community, as one of the region’s biggest employers. And he is forever grateful to the Teys boys – and Australia – for all the opportunities that have come his way.

Sponsoring our Weekly Grill podcast series are Kelly’s Finance Group and Elanco Animal Health.

 

Readers can find almost 40 past episodes from podcasts recorded in 2021, featuring a wide range of stakeholders from across the red meat supply chain, in the links below.

Check out our earlier  Weekly Grill podcasts here, including Jock Whittle, head of asset performance for Macquarie Group’s MIRA Agriculture division, including Paraway Pastoral Co; veteran beef industry leader David Crombie; Beef Central’s regular live export market commentator and columnist, Dr Ross Ainsworth; our regular cattle market wrap with TEM’s Matt Dalgleish and Stockco’s Chris Howie; Australian meat Industry Council’s Patrick Hutchinson; Agriculture Minister  David Littleproud;  Council of Australia president Markus Rathsmann;  Patrick Warmoll, the boss of Jack’s Creek Wagyu; veteran pastoral company executive Roger Halliwell; retired non-packer beef exporter, Richard Rains; carbon trading expert, Toby Grogan from Impact Agriculture; Red Meat Advisory Council chair, John McKillop; stud cattle showing identities Gary Noller and Rob Sinnamon; veteran Victorian cattle buyer David Ronalds; beef processing legend, ACC’s David Foote;  Live export class action facilitator, Tracey Hayes; Signature Beef’s Blair Angus; Consolidated Pastoral Co chief and Livecorp chairman, Troy Setter; nutrition scientist and MLA special skills board member, Manny Noakes; CCA independent northern and southern directors, Alice Greenup and Olivia Lawson; Australian Agricultural Co head Hugh Killen; Sydney independent red meat retailer Stephen Kelly; lotfeeder, Charlie Mort; processor and supply chain manager, Terry Nolan; livestock transport operator Ross Fraser; and Organic supply chain manager Alister Ferguson.

 

The Weekly Grill is brought to readers and listeners by Kelly’s Finance Group and Elanco Animal Health. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Kurt Douglas Steele, 18/03/2022

    Great story Waza. Truely an example of what career opportunities and possibilities exist in the Meat Industry. Well done!

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