Researcher’s work praised - inMyCommunity - Perth, Western Australia

as was posted here ... Researcher’s work praised - inMyCommunity - Perth, Western Australia

JAMIE Rodgers of Thornlie was among 13 medical researchers who shared in more than $12,000 in prizes presented at the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) gala dinner at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre recently.

Mr Rodgers, who is a Murdoch University student completing his honours degree at Royal Perth Hospital, won the UWA School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine prize for his recent presentation at the ASMR Scientific Symposium at Curtin University.

Mr Rodgers said that prostate cancers often had high amounts of a molecule called ETS1 and that in his study he demonstrated that high ETS1 levels made prostate cancer cells very sensitive to male steroid hormone androgens.

“My findings suggest that prostate cancers with high ETS1 may be more resistant to currently used anti-androgen treatments,” Mr Rodgers said.

ASMR WA convener Dr Katherine Thompson said the ASMR believed that investing in and encouraging young, up-and-coming local talent was vital for a successful future for medical research in WA.

The ASMR is the peak professional society representing Australian health and medical research, with a role in public, political and scientific advocacy.

Brierty posts $5m profit - WA Business News

as was posted here ... Brierty posts $5m profit - WA Business News

Civil contractor Brierty has posted a $5 million net profit after tax for the 2010 financial year, down from $6.7 for the previous corresponding period.

Brierty said the result was achieved through improved operating margins and efficiencies.

The company's directors have declared a final dividend of 1 cent.

Brierty acting chief executive officer Tony Bevan said the result was considered to be adequate given the tougher year.

"It is pleasing that we were able to grow our operating margins," said Mr Bevan.

See full company statement below:

Civil and mining contractor Brierty Limited (ASX: BYL) today delivered an audited net profit after tax of $5 million for the year ended 30 June 2010.

The result is in line with expectations and demonstrates a reasonable operational performance in light of the challenging market conditions.

Brierty has entered the new financial year with its strongest order book in several years and anticipates revenue and earnings growth in FY11.

The FY10 profit was down from $6.7 million in FY09 and achieved on revenue of $136.7 million ($181.5 million previously).

Pleasingly, operating margins improved despite the tough market, with improved efficiencies across all business units - resulting in an improved EBITDA margin at 11.7% (10.2%). While overall group revenue was down 24.6%, EBITDA was 13.9% lower at $16 million.

Full year earnings per share were 4.5 cents and the Directors have declared a final dividend of 1 cent, raising the full year distribution to 1.5 cents, fully franked.

Brierty Acting Chief Executive Officer Tony Bevan said the result was considered to be adequate given the tougher year.

"It is pleasing that we were able to grow our operating margins," said Mr Bevan.

"Operational efficiency has been a major focus of Brierty over the past year and we are very pleased to see this translate into a meaningful financial result.

"It also bodes well for the current financial year where we are expecting a rise in revenue and a continuation of our operating margins."

"We are commencing FY11 with a strong order book and we anticipate that this will generate increased earnings," he said. "The FY11 order book is currently sitting at $143 million, already higher than FY10 levels and there is scope for further increase."

"We are expecting larger contributions from our land and resource related infrastructure divisions, with continued benefits from the heightened activity in the West Australian economy, especially in the resources sector."

During FY10, Brierty continued to work with major clients such as Main Roads WA, BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina and Westralia Airports Corporation.

The year also saw completion of Stage 1 of Brierty's Bellamack property development in Darwin, with more than half the blocks settling before 30 June. Bellamack is expected to continue for the next three to four years, delivering strong revenues over the period of the development.

In the resources sector, Brierty secured a number of road upgrade projects and has expectations of additional contracts in this area through FY11.

Mr Bevan said Brierty's reputation in client service and contract execution had served the Company well through the challenging market conditions and positioned it well to take advantage of an anticipated upswing in activity in FY11 and beyond.

Mr Bevan said Brierty would examine acquisition opportunities but would continue to apply strict criteria in assessing proposals that came before the Company.

Brierty secures $10.8m Karara contract - WA Business News

as was posted here ... Brierty secures $10.8m Karara contract - WA Business News

Maddington-based Brierty has secured a $10.8 million contract to upgrade the access road to Gindalbie Metals' Karara Iron Ore project in the mid west.

The civil contractor will start the road construction this month.

All revenue from the contract is expected next financial year.

The contract scope includes upgrading 52 kilometres of road from Morawa to Karara, including widening and overlay, and stabilisation of flood-ways.

Brierty acting CEO Tony Bevan said the company was pleased to secure a second contract in the mid-west in recent months.

"Brierty's solutions-focused approach, technical know-how and customer responsiveness enable us to deliver genuine value to the mining industry," said Mr Bevan.

Gindalbie is developing the Karara Project though a 50:50 joint venture with Chinese steel producer, AnSteel.

Gindalbie managing director Garret Dixon said the recent award of mine infrastructure contracts such as the road upgrade was another example of how the development of the Karara Project was providing benefits to the whole mid west region.



See full company statement below:

Civil contractor Brierty Limited (ASX: BYL) has secured a contract for the upgrade of the access road to the Karara Iron Ore Project in Western Australia's mid-west region.

Gindalbie Metals (ASX: GBG) is developing the Karara Project through a 50:50 Joint Venture with Chinese steel producer, AnSteel.

Brierty will commence the $10.8m road construction contract this month, with all revenue from the contract expected in FY11.

The contract scope includes upgrading 52kms of road from Morawa to Karara, including widening and overlay, and stabilisation of flood-ways.

Brierty Acting CEO Tony Bevan said the company was pleased to secure a second contract in the mid-west in recent months. The latest contract win follows the recently awarded Mt Gibson Iron Ore access road contract.

"Brierty's solutions-focused approach, technical know-how and customer responsiveness enable us to deliver genuine value to the mining industry," said Mr Bevan.

"We have established a solid reputation for successfully delivering transportation and mine-site infrastructure projects for both private and public sector clients across WA and the NT.

"This contract win reaffirms our position as a contractor well suited to meeting the needs of WA's existing and emerging mining companies."

Construction has already commenced on the Karara Iron Ore Project, located 225km east of Geraldton, with first production scheduled for mid-2011.

Gindalbie Managing Director Garret Dixon said the recent award of mine infrastructure contracts such as the road upgrade was another example of how the development of the Karara Project was providing benefits to the whole Mid West region.

"WA-based Brierty has worked closely with us to provide the best solution to support safe and efficient access to the mine-site," said Mr Dixon.

Mr Bevan said Gindalbie was a key client in an industry and region of strategic interest to Brierty and the Company was focused on ensuring excellent outcomes were achieved on the project.