As part of the partnership between the Portuguese Diaspora Council and Jornal de Negócios, John da Silva, Honorary Consul at the Consulate of Portugal in Perth and Counselor of the Regional Hub of Austrália, was interviewed by Jornal de Negócios. In the interview, John da Silva discussed his professional journey and identified competitive opportunities for Portugal, its economy, companies, and entrepreneurs in general.
1- What led you to leave Portugal?
Leaving the island of Madeira was a difficult family decision, which required great sacrifices and significant changes. My father, who worked as a firefighter and carpenter, decided in 1968 to move to Perth, Western Australia, in search of better opportunities. It was a difficult choice for the whole family, but my mother took it upon herself to stay in Madeira to sell the carpentry business and our properties. With great determination, she managed to complete all the necessary tasks in six months.
In January 1969, we departed from Madeira on the ship MV Funchal towards the Canary Islands. My father traveled first with my sister Ivone, and then I followed with my mother and my siblings Michael, George, Dennis, Lina, Sue and Anna. After a few days in the Canaries, we boarded the SS Galileo for the direct trip to Perth. We arrived on February 20, 1969 — a very special date for me, as it was my birthday. Our arrival at the port was a moment of great joy, with my father and older sister waiting for us. It was a moving reunion, and having the family reunited again felt like the beginning of a new phase.
My father had already arranged a house for us in Safety Bay, a beautiful area by the beach. It was a true paradise —golden sands, crystal blue waters, and stunning scenery. It was there that our life in Australia began.
Years later, in a remarkable coincidence, the same ship MV Funchal, which had brought us from Madeira, arrived in Fremantle to start the cruise operation. My company, Allstates Marine, won the contract to supply the ship with all the necessary products. Frequently visiting the ship for lunch brought back precious memories of our trip to Australia.
Coming from humble beginnings, I have always been passionate about the business world. I built from the ground up every company I own, without ever acquiring an existing business. Recently, I had the honor of being invited to join the DIÁSPORA, an organized initiative that promotes Portugal and its culture. Being part of this organization has made me even more proud of my Portuguese roots.
The Australian Government has recognised my efforts and contributions through several prestigious accolades:
- CITWA – Western Australia Citizen of the Year in the Commerce & Business category
- Winner of the Western Australian Ethnic Business of the Year award (1995)
- National Award of Ethnic Business of the Year (1995)
- OAM – Medal of the Order of Australia, becoming the first Portuguese to receive this honor in the country
- Justice of the Peace in Western Australia
- Patron of the Western Australian Police Academy
- Honorary Consul of Portugal in Perth
- Celebrate Western Australia Board Member
- Vice-presidente do Western Australia Multicultural Lions Club
- Board member of the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce (retired)
In addition, I founded and currently chair the Western Australia Portuguese Citizen of the Year initiative, which recognizes notable Portuguese living abroad. The program awards prizes in six categories: Business, Professionals, Sports, Community, Youth and Arts and Culture. Each winner receives a Portuguese guitar, and an overall winner is also selected from all categories. Currently in its seventh edition, my goal is to expand this system worldwide, celebrating the success of the Portuguese in all parts of the globe.
2- What advantages or disadvantages has being Portuguese brought you?
Being Portuguese has never been a disadvantage. Australians have always had a warm attitude towards Portuguese, and both cultures share many points in common. We introduced elements of our culture, such as food, wine, and beer, which were enthusiastically received. Our way of cooking, especially the skewer — a traditional dish of skewered meat — was a great success. While Australians use prawns and chicken for their skewers, we use beef, and after a few shared beers, friendships quickly emerge. This is the beauty of Australia — it’s all about enjoying life and bonding.
However, when we arrived, the language was a great challenge. None of us spoke English, which made it difficult to adapt for the whole family. Fortunately, the Australians were very friendly and helpful, which made it easy for us to integrate and learn the language quickly. For me, attending school without knowing a word of English was complicated. I often felt lost in class, not understanding what the teachers were saying. However, the faculty and colleagues at John Curtin Senior High School were very supportive. With their help, I adapted and, by the end of the first year, I was able to communicate comfortably in English.
After three years at this excellent school, I got my first job at the age of 16, marking the real beginning of my life in Australia.
3- What obstacles have you overcome, and how have you done so?
I faced few obstacles in Australia, a country often dubbed the “land of opportunity.” With hard work and focus, it has become possible to achieve almost anything. My advice to anyone looking to start a business in Australia is to set clear goals with plans for 1, 2, 5 and 10 years, stay dedicated and focused on goals.
4- What do you admire most about Australia?
Australia is the most successful multicultural society in the world, uniting a vast diversity of cultures, experiences, beliefs, and traditions. I deeply admire the Australian people. They are welcoming people, open to new cultures and always willing to help. In addition, Australia is a beautiful country, with unique wildlife, stunning beaches, and abundant natural resources. Although it is a relatively young nation — it became a federation on January 1, 1901 — it has evolved into a thriving and vibrant place to live and work.
5- What do you admire most about the organizations and companies where you have been involved?
Over the past 30 years, I’ve founded and managed several companies, but what I value most are the people I’ve worked with. For me, it has always been a matter of teamwork, collaboration and sharing ideas to achieve common goals. I believe that success is born from unity and collective effort.
6- What advice would you give to Portuguese companies and managers?
If I could advise companies or managers, I would say that the principles of success are universal:
- Employees are the greatest asset — listen to them and value their opinions.
- Recognize the good work and celebrate the achievements.
- Compensate employees fairly by paying above average to ensure their loyalty.
- Show compassion and concern for the well-being of employees.
- Cultivate strong relationships with customers—in difficult times, offer support and guidance.
- Collaborate with suppliers to improve products and services.
- Stay competitive by keeping up with competitors and continuously improving.
- Success comes from teamwork — whether the company is large or small, collaboration is essential.
7- In which sectors can Portuguese companies find opportunities in Australia?
Some of the best investment opportunities in Australia are in the sectors of:
- Hospitality (housing, hotels, homes)
- Renewable energies
- Sustainability
- Mining
- Food industry
8- In which sectors can Australian companies invest in Portugal?
During a recent visit to Portugal, I found that the tourism sector has great potential to attract foreign investment. In addition, there is a significant opportunity to develop the agricultural sector. Many supermarkets in Portugal rely on imported products, which shows room for improvement. Strengthening agriculture would create jobs, reduce imports, and increase exports.
9- What competitive advantages of Australia could be replicated in Portugal?
Portugal has one of the largest iron ore reserves in Europe, in the north of the country, which represents a huge opportunity. Developing this sector would reduce dependence on imports, generating employment and stimulating economic growth. Just as Australia’s wealth is based on the export of iron ore, Portugal could follow a similar path.
10- Are you thinking of returning to Portugal?
Although I love the idea of returning, my family and business are in Australia. If one day he returned, it would be to contribute to the development of the iron ore industry with Australian know-how and help the growth of the agricultural sector.
