Special Reports

LONG overlooked by local investors, the seaside town of Geraldton is attracting the attention of investors around Australia.

A SIGNIFICANT number of large mining and oil and gas developments are under way in and around Geraldton as the sector emerges from the shadow of the failed $2 billion Kingstream iron and steel project.

Almost $8 billion worth of defence spending is coming up in the next 10 years and WA appears ideally positioned to secure a large portion of that, as Noel Dyson reports.

ONE of the Western Australian Government’s major aims is to see local industries involved in the defence sector export their expertise.

A PROPOSAL to consolidate the number of defence contractors from four to one or two could pose major concerns for the subcontractors that service the industry.

An informal WA Business News survey has found widespread concern about the aggressive tactics of the Office of State Revenue. Mark Beyer reports.

LOCAL and State governments are the main contributors to the approximately $500 million being invested in the City of Fremantle and surrounds.

MARKET forces may be driving the swath of residential developments under way in Fremantle but the push to reinvigorate the city into a thriving and vibrant commercial centre has come from within the City of Fremantle.

THE businesses that suffered from last week’s electricity crisis covered the full spectrum, from manufacturers and lawyers through to restaurants and retailers.

TOURISM icon the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle has undergone a massive $16 million expansion in response to the city’s growing profile as a leisure and business function destination.

After a decade of little to no growth, Western Australia’s unique port city, Fremantle, has become the darling of developers and is poised to strengthen its position as an alternative regional centre to Perth.

THE two men now in charge of Western Power are among the busiest directors in Perth, but Neil Hamilton and Harvey Collins both recognise they need to cut back some of their work duties.

Paul D’Sylva is responsible for the management of Murdoch University’s research and the commercialisation of its intellectual property.

At the age of 24, Brad McManus launched his management career in the highly competitive WA leisure and health club industry.

Robert Harvey joined Edith Cowan University as executive dean of the Faculty of Business and Public Management in March 2003.

Nicholas Bath established Blue Cow Cheese Company in 1998 to deliver the best hand-made cheeses from Australia and Europe to Western Australians.

With her excellent planning skills, customer relationships management and business acumen, Bernadette Hooper has been a driving force at MODAL Pty Ltd.

At 25 years of age, Scott Robinson is the operator of his own integrated marketing and advertising company based in Busselton – Jack in the box.

Emirates Airlines sales manager for WA Darren Tyrrell has extensive experience in the Australian aviation industry and a sales and marketing career that spans 18 years.

David Coomer set out to create a five-star restaurant in 1998.

Greg Devine is an experienced small businessman and financial adviser.

Fay Bahemia left the comfort of a large multinational pharmaceutical company to join five-employee Chemeq as its first and only microbiologist in 2000.

From working on the family farm to buying out a machinery dealership, Peter Gordon’s ownership and operation of Busselton hospitality gems, The Equinox, overlooking the Busselton

Born into a Western Australian farming family, Deborah Pitter has a passion and understanding of the rural sector.

Richard Thorning was appointed general manager, Western Australia for SingTel Optus Pty Limited in June 2001.

Rachel Cook joined ineedhits.com in 1999, shortly after the business had been established by her partner, Clay Cook.

Real estate is in James Limnios’s blood. He has spent all his working life in his family-owned real estate and development consultancy, Limnios Property Group.

Tom Warner joined PIVoD Technologies as the business manager in 2000, originally taking on the role of administration of the company and supporting the sales process.

In addition to our 1st Amongst Equals award and the 40 winners in the 2004 40under40, each of WA Business News’ Strategic Alliance Partners chose one individual worthy of a special commendation award and a $1,000 prize.

In addition to his management role at a specialist contact lens practice in Perth, Damon Ezekiel is also managing director of Gelflex Laboratories, a research and development orga

Dr Tony Pennells heads up a multi-million dollar company that oversees more than 3,000 independent distributors of Herbalife International products across 25 countries.  Afte