Interview With John Da Silva - Honorary Portuguese Consul

Fremantle and Portugal, especially the island of Madeira, have close links. Many Freo families have wonderful Madeira origins, the family of John Da Silva OAM CitWA JP amongst them.

John arrived in Fremantle in 1969 on his 13th birthday. He later worked on a crayfishing boat as a deck hand and then built and owned the Bell-Vista group of companies that became leaders in the fresh produce and ship supply industries. Amongst other awards, John was awarded the prestigious WA Citizen of the Year Award for Industry & Commerce in 2000 and a Medal of the Order of Australia – an OAM. He is also a Justice of the Peace.

With many others from he Portuguese community, John is a stalwart of the Portuguese Club.

And now John is the honorary Portuguese Consul to Perth, based in South Terrace, Fremantle, in a beautiful heritage building right near the roundabout with Wray Avenue.

John kindly agreed to speak with our editor, Michael Barker, about his and his family’s life and times.

Pop in your ear buds, lean back and enjoy the podcast.