Special Reports

HUSBAND and wife team Rick and Clare Ferdinands established this communications software company in 2001, following two years of research and applications development.

IT was with some trepidation that I prepared for the judging process for this year’s Family Business Awards.

ESTABLISHED in 1913, Richard Noble & Company is considered largely responsible for the development of some of Perth’s oldest suburbs, including Bayswater, Maylands and Mount Lawley.

BLACKBIRD’S four Macaulay family employees watch over two very different businesses – Home Provedore and Kitchen Warehouse, and Price Savers.

JAH Roc Furniture has won awards every year but one since 1988, when two surfing mates – Gary Bennett and David Paris – acted on their desire to make "legendary" pieces from WA wood, stone and iron.

DAWSON’S Garden World is a grower and retailer of plants in the Perth metropolitan area.

DOZENS of private sector projects are launched every year in Western Australia. Of all these projects, a select group has received big-ticket financial assistance – $600,000 or more – from the State Government.

THE chancellor’s position is an honorary one, but university business expenses are reimbursed. A chancellor confers degrees and diplomas, chairs senate, council or board of governors meetings, and consults and advises the vice-chancellor.

Western Australia’s five universities have always faced unique challenges.

THE role of a university vice-chancellor is that of chief executive officer, ultimately responsible for university activities, affecting the quality of life of future generations as well as the immediate prospects of clients.

WHILE the growth of Mandurah is good news for many, such rapid growth comes with challenges that, unless carefully managed, can turn a region’s success story into a disaster.

MANDURAH’S close proximity to Perth is proving to be attractive to many working people who are choosing to live in the regional city and commute to Perth. Many people who might have looked to buy in the northern coastal suburbs of Perth, such as Burns Be

ONCE regarded as a sleepy fishing hamlet, Mandurah has come of age and is charging ahead to become a regional city of note. As a city, it has capitalised on its unique natural environment.

THE sheer amount of property development occurring around Mandurah is astonishing. Just a casual drive around the city reveals a plethora of construction sites, giving a visual gauge of how much interest there is in this coastal city.

APPLAUDED for its strong focus on public open space and the positive effect it has had on local development, Landcorp’s development of Mandurah Ocean Marina has been met with approval across local government, the property industry, local business and comm

WHO provides the strategic direction and tactical guidance for WA’s politicians? Political advisers, bureaucrats and organisational allies such as the union movement have a strong influence.

WEST Australian Newspapers chief executive Ian Law has been rated as the most influential person in the WA media. He is seen as the driving force at the company, wielding far more influence than Brian Rogers, editor of The West Australian.

WESFARMERS managing director Michael Chaney is clearly the most influential business executive in Western Australia. His influence does not derive simply from running the State’s biggest company.

WITH the Coalition holding power in Canberra and hot favourites to win the next election, the key figures in WA are in the Liberal Party. The two people who currently wield most influence in the party are Senators Chris Ellison and Ian Campbell.

AS the name implies, the miscellaneous group comprises influential and prominent Western Australians who do not fit neatly into any other category.

THE question of who ranks as the most powerful person in State politics is a two-horse race.

WITH Labor in power, Unions WA is automatically elevated to a powerful position in policy making. The relationship between the two groups has not all been plain sailing.

A VERY bright spotlight has shone on the lobbying activities of former Labor Premier Brian Burke over the past six months. Along with business partner and former State Government Minister Julian Grill (who also acts on his own for some clients) Mr Burke

THE business people on this list are not simply wealthy individuals or owners of large businesses.

UNDERTREASURER John Langoulant stands head and shoulders above other public servants. His influence derives in part from simply being head of Treasury and Finance – the man who controls the purse strings.

INFLUENTIAL people in sport are more than just star players or star coaches. They are people who affect the future of sport in the State through their influence on Government, business and the community.

THE top political advisers are largely aligned with the most influential people in State politics. In Premier Geoff Gallop’s office the key people are chief of staff Sean Walsh and senior media adviser Kieran Murphy.

WESTERN Australian regulators have been very prominent over the past year. The agencies on the list all have substantial autonomous power and their decisions can have a profound impact on the business sector.

WHILE it seems that the whole world is enamoured with cooking shows, Mago Films executive producer Marion Bartsch is not shy of the challenge to make her product stand out in a crowd and is trying her hand at producing a cooking series with a unique...

AS one of the biggest production companies in Perth, Storyteller Media Group holds the privileged position of being Government funding free since 1994.

WESTERN Australia is becoming increasingly recognised as a place brimming with film, television, animation and production specialists.

The WA film and TV industry is producing content that is broadcast into lounge rooms around the world. Tracey Cook looks at what is driving the industry’s growth and the niche position the WA industry has found in the international market.