John Silvester is Australia's longest-serving crime reporter, covering the beat since 1978. He has won four Walkley Awards, the Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year Award, nine Melbourne Press Club Quills, nine Victorian Law Foundation Awards, a Ned Kelly Award for true crime writing, a Ned Kelly lifetime achievement award, an ASEAN Fellowship to study crime and corruption in South East Asia, and has been elevated to The Australian Media Hall of Fame.
John narrated and co-wrote true crime documentaries produced and directed by Terry Carlyon, including the Logie-winning ABC documentary, Conviction, on the murder of Jill Meagher. He has written or co-authored over 30 books including the Chopper and Underbelly series, later adapted to film and television.
John appeared in one Underbelly movie as himself but was asked to quietly remove himself from the set for overacting.
He writes the award-winning 'Naked City' column for The Age, presents the true crime podcast of the same name, and appears weekly on the top-rating 3AW breakfast program as 'Sly of the Underworld'.
John fought world champion Barry Michael to a draw in a charity boxing match which many experts still refer to as 'The Bloodbath of Blackburn'.
John narrated and co-wrote true crime documentaries produced and directed by Terry Carlyon, including the Logie-winning ABC documentary, Conviction, on the murder of Jill Meagher. He has written or co-authored over 30 books including the Chopper and Underbelly series, later adapted to film and television.
John appeared in one Underbelly movie as himself but was asked to quietly remove himself from the set for overacting.
He writes the award-winning 'Naked City' column for The Age, presents the true crime podcast of the same name, and appears weekly on the top-rating 3AW breakfast program as 'Sly of the Underworld'.
John fought world champion Barry Michael to a draw in a charity boxing match which many experts still refer to as 'The Bloodbath of Blackburn'.