Staff Reporters

CONSUMERS in WA are preparing to spend up big this festive season to the tune of $2.6 billion in December, according to the Retail Traders Association.

ASX code: IPT, Issue price: $0.

Proposed code: CXG, Issue price: $1.00, Principal activities: interests in large diesel engines maintenance, service and parts supply.

Jennifer Smith has been appointed senior commissioner to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC). Ms Smith will be the first female senior commissioner at the WAIRC.

ESTABLISHED in 1987, Hudson is a worldwide leader in the provision of recruitment and human resource consulting services.

Shangai Merchants Holdings Ltd ceased to be a substantial shareholder.

John Roy Westwood became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 1,300,000 ordinary shares (6.4%).

FMR Corp and FIL decreased its relevant interest from 8,295,600 ordinary shares (8.96%) to 6,981,820 ordinary shares (7.53%).

Has reached agreement with Berkeley Resources Ltd to acquire tenements totalling 723 square kilometres, located 90km south of the public access Port of Port Hedland, Western Australia.

BHP Billiton Ltd last week announced that its Ravensthorpe nickel project budget had blown out to $2.8 billion, more than double the original $1.35 billion approved in March 2004, and the third budget

FOUNDER and director of Shearmans PR, Carla Shearman, has announced the closure of her public relations consultancy after 12 years in business.

Proposed code: NFL, Issue price: $1.50, Principal activities: biodiesel production, Corporate: Dr John Hewson (independent chairman), Richard Selwood (managing director), Michael Pixley (deputy managi

THE Robert Champion de Crespigny chaired Scarborough Minerals plc has joined the current wave of corporate activity in the resources sector, announcing an interest in merging with Perth-based minerals

Proposed code: EYE, Issue price: $0.20, Principal activities: nickel, gold base metals exploration, Corporate: Wayne Ryder (executive chairman & company secretary), Warren John Staude (non-executive d

Frank Brewer became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 41,021,288 ordinary shares (6.29%).

Ashabia Pty Ltd became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 5,113,500 ordinary shares (7.68%).

Anglo Pacific Group plc increased its relevant interest from 5,078,665 ordinary shares (15.87%) to 5,423,814 ordinary shares (16.95%).

AMP Ltd decreased its relevant interest from 13,940,724 ordinary shares (8.17%) to 11,631,079 ordinary shares (6.80%).

Confirms it has agreed to a placement to exempt investors of 27.9m ordinary shares at 13.5 cents each to raise A$3.77m.

THE days when our city was considered a relatively inexpensive place to live are fading fast, with Perth's consumer price index reaching a 4.8 per cent year on year growth to the September quarter, se

Great retail business in prime location under 1,800 square metres. Turnover $2 million plus and history of profit. Interesting products to retail. Figures increase every year.

Proposed code: GRB, Issue price: $0.40, Principal activities: brewing, Corporate: Michael Perrott (director), Peter Nolin (director), Bill Hoedemaker (director), Paul McKenzie (director), John Hoedema

The RAC has appointed Carolyn Hall to the position of senior brand and communications manager.

Central Law Courts - part office fit out Level 15 to provide two new offices - Project One: $180,202.00

Synergy Gold Incorporated ceased to be a substantial shareholder.

Deutsche Bank AG became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 40,268,176 ordinary shares (5.54%).

Lim Asia Arbitrage Fund Inc changed its relevant interest from 14,900,000 ordinary shares (14.83%) to 14,900,000 ordinary shares (13.55%).

Has entered into a binding Letter of Intent with Barrick Gold of Australia Ltd for a farm-in relating to the Oodnadatta Project in South Australia

Annual General Meeting will be held at 8 th Floor, Australian Stock Exchange Building, 2 The Esplanade, Perth, Western Australia at 10.30am (WST) on 27 November 2006.

WESTERN Australia's international trade surplus improved to $9.8 billion in the September quarter 2006, up 34.4 per cent on the same period a year earlier, according to the Department of Treasury and

Proposed code: LTR, Issue price: $0.20, Principal activities: base metals explorer, Corporate: Timothy R B Goyder (non-executive chairman), Andrew R Bantock (managing director), John R McIntyre (expl

Proposed code: CGR, Issue price: $1.90, Principal activities: oil and gas production, development and exploration, Corporate: Gordon Martin (non-executive director & chairman), John Akehurst (non-exec