John Silvester

Veteran Crime Journalist, Author & Broadcaster

John Silvester is one of Australia’s most respected and well-known crime journalists, best known for his fearless reporting and deep insights into the underworld, bikie gangs, and law enforcement. For decades, readers have turned to The Age to read his captivating stories on organised crime, high-profile investigations, and the darker side of Australian society.

John is the co-author of several bestselling true crime books, including the iconic Underbelly series, written with Andrew Rule. The series became a cultural phenomenon when adapted into the top-rating television drama of the same name, cementing his reputation as a leading voice in crime journalism.

Beyond print, John is a household name as “Sly of the Underworld” on 3AW’s Breakfast Show, where his sharp wit, encyclopedic knowledge, and dry humour have made him a listener favourite. His fascination with crime has roots in his family — his late father, Fred Silvester, was a decorated homicide detective who inspired his lifelong passion for criminal investigation.

A graduate of La Trobe University, John began his career as a police reporter at the Melbourne Sun News-Pictorial, quickly rising to chief police reporter. He spent 15 years with the Herald Sun before joining The Age, where his reporting has continued to influence and shape public understanding of crime in Australia.

John’s award-winning career has been recognised with some of journalism’s highest honours, including:

• Three Walkley Awards

• Graham Perkin Journalist of the Year Award

• Victorian Law Institute Journalist of the Year

• Multiple Melbourne Press Club Quill Awards

• Ned Kelly Awards, including Best True Crime Book (2000) and the Lifetime Achievement Award (2005)

He has also been awarded an Australian Journalists Association – ASEAN Scholarship, which took him to Southeast Asia to study crime and corruption, and a News Limited Exchange to work with the Sunday Times Insight Team in London.

With more than one million books sold, John Silvester is also behind true crime bestsellers about infamous figures such as Mark “Chopper” Read, and the Underbelly stories that have become part of Australian pop culture.

Renowned for his engaging storytelling, razor-sharp observations, and signature humour, John offers audiences an unforgettable experience — pulling back the curtain on the cases, characters, and crime scenes that have shaped Australia’s criminal history.