Joseph Porta was of Italian origin but his family was resident in England, perhaps near Birmingham, and he emigrated to Victoria from there.By about 1861 he had received the grant (title from the Government) for Crown Allotment 63 Moorooduc near Somerville. Within a couple of years he became insolvent and became a cab driver in Mornington by 1866. In this year he was also making bellows, probably in Mornington. As the PORTAMOULDINGS company history explains, he established his Little Lonsdale St factory in Melbourne in 1868.
I have extensive information from Trove which I am willing to provide to people who have read the PORTAMOULDINGS website.Joseph's family was related by marriage to the Bennetts of Mornington.