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Barnett backs 9pm retail trading

 PREMIER Colin Barnett has announced that he will introduce a bill paving the way for retail trading hours to be extended to 9pm on weeknights. The WA Independent Grocers Association has launched a newspaper advertising campaign opposing any changes to retail trading hours.

Harmony Capital buys Harvey Beef

 PRIVATE equity fund Harmony Capital has moved to full ownership of the state's largest meatworks, Harvey Beef, after buying out partners Elders and Stark Investments. In a joint venture three years ago Harmony and Elders took control of Harvey Beef, which was previously owned by 100-year-old family business EG Green & Sons.

Wheatbelt rail battle heats up

 LOCAL councils in the Wheatbelt may stop issuing permits for operators of larger grain trucks as the deadline for the state government to commit an initial $45 million to upgrade rail lines for grain transport passes. Privately owned rail operator, WestNet Rail, had given the state government until this week to commit to $45 million to upgrade works or face the suspension of operations on four rail lines.

WA firms more confident of 2010 recovery

 AN increasing number of businesses in WA are becoming more confident about the local economy's prospects, with some saying the current economic climate has been good for business, the latest Commonwealth Bank-Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA 'Survey of business expectations' found.

GRD receives $106m takeover proposal

 GRD, a Perth-based engineering and infrastructure company, has become the latest acquisition target for UK-based AMEC, which has proposed a $106 million cash takeover offer. Earlier this month AMEC acquired the assets and operations of Canadian mining company Journeaux, Bedard & Assoc Inc.

Appointments 20

Law firms become Allion

PERTH law firms Pullinger Readhead Lucas and Michael Whyte & Co plan to merge on July 1 under the name Allion Legal. Allion managing partner Mal Harford will head a team of 45 lawyers, operating across resources, corporate, property, private client, finance and technology sectors. The principals of Allion Legal will include Brian McCormack, Philip Pullinger, Craig Readhead (pictured), Philip Lucas

and Peter Michael.

Johnson inaugural CEO of Steel Blue

GARY Johnson (pictured) has been appointed the inaugural chief executive of Malaga-based Footwear Industries, which manufactures the Steel Blue brand of safety footwear. The company was previously run by executive directors, including former West Coast Eagles footballer Don Holmes, who will continue as chairman. Mr. Johnson has held several executive positions over 20 years, including at BankWest where he worked at a corporate level.

Calibre recruits Rod Baxter

ENGINEERING and project delivery company Calibre Global has appointed Rod Baxter (pictured) as its new managing director. Established in 2002, and a former winner of WA Business News' Rising Stars award as WA's fastest growing private company, Calibre has grown to have 650 staff across Australia, Mr Baxter was formerly the managing director of diversified miner Consolidated Minerals, and a senior executive with Anglo American, one of the world's largest diversified mining and natural resources group.

Jackson new CEO of Harvey Beef

MIKE Jackson has been appointed chief executive of beef processor Harvey Beef. Mr. Johnson's experience in the beef industry includes heading up one of Queensland's largest cattle producers and processors, Stanbroke Pastoral Company.

Directors' Interests 19

Bannerman Resources director Clive Jones has lifted his shareholding to 7.85 per cent after exercising 4.6 million options at a fraction of the company's current trading price. The non-executive director spent $922,500 converting the 20-cent options, which were allocated to Mr Jones on his appointment to the board in early 2007.

MEC Resources chairman Hock Goh pocketed $63,450 after selling just more than 500,000 shares at 11.5 cents each. Following the sale, Mr Goh's shareholding was worth $609,522.

A stand out

The Holmes a Court family has a penchant for standing out in a crowd.

Late patriarch Robert started the whole thing by trying to takeover BHP, but the rest of family have kept at it, including son Peter (right), who famously bought into the South Sydney Rabbitohs with actor Russell Crowe in an attempted revival of its fortunes.

He stepped down as chairman a year ago but a Note operative spotted him at the weekend back in his old hometown for the team's clash with Melbourne Storm. Not that he was difficult to spot among the less-than-corporate crowd.

Immaculately dressed as ever in a tailored suit, Mr Holmes a Court added to his visibility by wearing a green and red Rabbitohs hat and sitting on the stairs. Apparently the VIP area of the Members Equity Stadium had been overbooked.

Naming rights

The Note loves a made-up name.

Ever-watchful while stuck in traffic, we check the crazy monikers applied to a host of bright new cars and wonder which computer or committee dreamed them up.

So it was with great pleasure that we turned up to the launch of new IT-focused consultancy, Velrada Capital, which has been started by ex-Change Corp and Microsoft types, headed by Rob Evans and Paul Tsang.

It was explained that the founders liked the brand proposition of luxury goods maker Prada, so they came up with Very Prada, which somehow morphs into Velrada. It has the computers and the committee, but clearly this required a few drinks, too.