Special Reports

Staying relevant to the market has never been a more obvious priority for the State's only daily newspaper, The West Australian.

Home Building Society underwent a million-dollar brand overhaul late last year to revitalise its 58-year-old image.

Retravision didn't feature among WA Business News' most recognised brands last year because the brand originates from Victoria.

           11  Peters and Brownes Group11  The Sunday Times12  Rick Hart

RAC has jumped two places to rank third among WA Business News's most recognised brands.

 1    Bunnings2    HBF3    RAC4    BankWest

Which are the top brands in Western Australia and why do they work? Julie-anne Sprague looks at the State's most recognised brands and the strategies behind them.

Some of the State's top advertising executives share their thoughts on the value of the brand.

Maurice Meade (pictured right) opened his first hair-dressing salon in Subiaco 30 years ago.

The West Coast Eagles boasted a top line-up in the 1990s and several of their players have gone on to business success.

Many Western Australians have made a national and even international impression in their sporting pursuits, and a handful has also had a national impact in the business world.

Former Fremantle Docker Brad Wira has more insight into the linkages between elite sport and finance than most other retired players.

Unlike the full-time professionals of today's era, the sporting heroes many Western Australians grew up with had to juggle work and sport.

YOUTH IN FAMILY BUSINESS – Janine Dennison, MSA SECURITY

Family Business Awards Second-Generation winner – TCC GROUP

Mark Pownall (independent chairman of judges)

FOURTH-GENERATION winner – richard noble and CO

FIRST-GENERATION winner – MESSAGES ON HOLD

Proving that Australia is a nation of entrepreneurs, family business is the largest sector in the Australian economy.

Cambinata Yabbies

THIRD-GENERATION winner – GALVIN ENGINEERING

With Argyle's future at the crossroads new players are providing some junior sparkle to WA's third biggest royalty generating sector, diamond production. Alison Birrane and Jim Hawtin report.

About 30 years ago, the Ellendale diamond prospects in the West Kimberley launched Australia's first diamond boom.

Kimberley Diamonds' spin-off exploration company Blina Diamonds is hoping to raise $10.4 million through an initial public offering.West Perth-based Blina is looking to issue 34.

At least 10 new power stations are likely to be built in Western Australia over coming years to cope with growing electricity demand and the retirement of existing units.

 MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL AWARD 

SINGLE RESIDENTIAL AWARD (joint) Odden Rodrigues for Avalon House.

In 2000, the Hawaiian Property Group approached Jones Coulter Young to undertake a feasibility study to consider a range of options for 182 St Georges Terrace.

Western Power is planning to hire gas turbines from overseas this year to ensure it can supply enough electricity to Perth during the hot summer months.