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Meet Bhashi
Growing up in Sri Lanka, Bhashi was surrounded by farming, with her family involved in cinnamon production. That early experience inspired her passion for agriculture and led her to pursue a Bachelor of Agriculture in Sri Lanka, followed by a Master’s degree at the University of Tasmania.
After graduating, Bhashi joined Costa as Blackberry Harvest Lead and is now Farm Manager at the Dunorlan blackberry farm in north-west Tasmania. Here, she oversees 40 hectares of berries grown under protective polytunnels, where the cool winters create the perfect conditions for healthy plants and high-quality fruit.
Her role is as much about people as it is about crops. She leads a core team and, during peak harvest, up to 400 pickers — with teamwork and clear communication key to keeping everything running smoothly. She’s passionate about mentoring others to join the industry, showing that agriculture offers opportunities in science, innovation, sustainability and leadership. This dedication was recognised when she received the Young Grower of the Year award at the Fruit Growers Tasmania Industry Awards in 2025.
Sustainability and community are also close to her heart, with practices like integrated pest management and water efficiency helping care for the environment, while employment opportunities support both local staff and seasonal workers from diverse backgrounds.
For Bhashi, the most rewarding part of the job is seeing the results of hard work come to life in the form of sweet, juicy blackberries — best enjoyed straight from the punnet.
