Amid the gloom, WA has some positive resources stories to tell,with uranium developers buoyed by improving news, investment certainty guaranteed around royalties rates - for now - and nickel reappearing as a sturdy performer.
It might be bold to suggest that Andrew Forrest consider a career change, but as his fortune shrinks and as his iron ore business struggles in a flooded market, there is a nickel deal to be done that could be a lot more fun than playing the role of fading star.
Demand for Western Australian agricultural property assets is expected to run hot throughout 2015, with offshore buyers not expected to be deterred by new rules for foreign investment in farmland.
The Wirrpanda Foundation, which is one of nine Western Australian groups pioneering a new indigenous training and employment program in the state, has put contractors who over promise and under deliver on notice.
Fortescue Metals Group surprised investors earlier today with a better-than-expected December quarter production report, but that should not stop speculation that it could be a key player in Western Australia's deal of the decade.
Iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group has recruited the former vice-president of global procurement at oil giant ExxonMobil to its board of directors, as it seeks to lift the efficiency of its business.
The international stage has helped this year's local business and political leaders stand out from the pack – including our Person of the Year, Richard Goyder.
Small iron ore miners operating in a $70/t environment are struggling, but in a different way so are the majors battling to satisfy investor expectations.
Australia's free trade agreement with China is likely to deliver significant benefits to agricultural exporters but the gains will be mainly indirect and apparent over the longer term, a report by Rabobank has concluded.
Andrew and Nicola Forrest's Minderoo Group has recruited finance executive Aaron Hood to take charge of its expanding commercial investment activities.
It's not easy to feel sympathy for Perth's super-rich as they watch their fortunes shrink, but the problems of Gina Rinehart, Andrew Forrest, Kerry Stokes, Angela Bennett and Stan Perron are a powerful pointer to the problems facing everyone in Western Australia.
Andrew Forrest has reiterated his support for Fortescue Metals Group diversifying its operations into other commodities, but said there were no immediate plans to pursue nickel, or oil and gas over its core iron ore business.
Money is moving out of iron ore but where it goes next is the more interesting question, because it seems that some investors are developing a taste for agriculture – a shift that might prove to be a case of leaving the frying pan to land in the fire.
Andrew and Nicola Forrest's Minderoo Foundation is pushing for a Western Australian early learning centre to become the template for a national strategy.
Fortescue Metals Group has extended its partnership with hockey world champions the Kookaburras for another two years, providing support in the build-up to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The appointment of investment banker Michael Ashforth as manager of the Bennett family's $1.5 billion fortune highlights the maturing of Western Australia's private wealth market.
FEATURE: Biotech and IT companies are enjoying renewed investor interest, but these innovative businesses are facing a changing capital raising market featuring less government support and, in Perth, a drastic shift in the venture capital sector.
Education Minister Peter Collier has embarked on a bold strategy aimed at reallocating his $4.6 billion budget among the state's 700 secondary and primary schools. It is a move fraught with political risk.
The Abbott government has published the long-awaited Forrest Review of Indigenous jobs and training, with wide ranging recommendations including a healthy welfare card.
The iron ore and gold mining industries have served Western Australia well during the past decade, but that does not mean they will do the same job over the next decade, especially if the switch to other minerals evident on world markets gathers pace.
Gina Rinehart has followed fellow iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest's lead and expanded her interests to include cattle farming, reportedly spending $40 million on a half-stake in two cattle stations
Biotech company Admedus has completed an oversubscribed $8 million share placement as it looks to push marketing for its CardioCel regenerative tissue product in Europe and the US.
Andrew Forrest has emerged as a surprise backer of Energy and Minerals Australia, taking a major stake in the Perth-based uranium explorer through a much-needed $12 million investment. EMA has also struck a debt-for-equity swap with its noteholders.
Andrew Forrest's Minderoo Group has emerged as the surprise buyer of the state's largest beef processor, Harvey Beef, quashing speculation that the company would be sold to Chinese interests.
The Western Australian Museum Foundation is in the final stages of establishing governance and investment structures to support what it hopes will be the largest cultural endowment fund in Australia.
