Kelly  Koochew

“Kel was sunshine. That word speaks volumes to her character, her presence and the warmth she exuded always. To be in Kel’s presence was to feel safe, cared for, understood and loved.”

– Kerry Wilson

Kelly Koochew was a deeply respected and beloved member of the Warragul community whose influence was felt through genuine connection, generosity and positive action.

A founding member of Women in Gippsland, Kelly was committed to creating opportunities for women in her region. She contributed her time, insight and energy to ensure both large initiatives and everyday moments of support translated into meaningful change. At her final International Women’s Day event in 2018, she championed a simple but powerful call to action: celebrate women’s achievements, a reflection of how she lived her life.

Kelly’s impact extended across the Warragul Farmer’s Market and the Baw Baw Food Movement, where she worked to strengthen local networks and support regional producers. She had a rare ability to bring people together. In 2014, she helped lead the promotion of Waterford Rise Estate, organising a community ‘block party’ attended by more than 1,000 people, an event remembered not just for its scale, but for its spirit of inclusion and belonging.

Professionally, Kelly worked with Kingbuilt Homes and Vin Rowe Farm Machinery, building strong relationships grounded in trust and respect. Across all aspects of her life, she was known for her calm presence, thoughtful listening and clear, considered voice, qualities that brought focus and direction to the many committees and projects she supported.

Friends recall that Kelly had an extraordinary gift: she made people feel that they mattered. As lifelong friend Michelle Lindeman reflected, when you were with Kelly, “you were the most important person in the world.”

She approached life with gratitude, often expressing how lucky she felt to live in Warragul, surrounded by family, friends and community.

Kelly was also generous in the deepest sense. As a registered organ donor, her final act was one of profound care, improving and saving the lives of others. It is a legacy that reflects the way she lived: giving, thoughtful and quietly transformative.

Acknowledgement

This biography was written by Her Place Women’s Museum using the below resources, in consultation with Kelly Koochew’s family, Baw Baw Shire Council, and her friend Kerry Wilson. Kelly’s husband, Nick Rowe, shares that her greatest legacy is her three daughters Isabel (16), Lola (14), and Zoe (12) each of whom carries forward their mother’s kindness, warmth, and love of life.

Image: Kelly Koochew, Photographer Lauren Murphy

Commemoration

In 2024, Baw Baw Shire Council honoured Kelly Koochew by naming Kelly Koochew Park in Warragul. The decision followed strong community support and a recommendation from Council’s Place Names Advisory Committee, and was formally endorsed in March 2024 in accordance with Geographic Names Victoria’s Place Naming Rules.

At the naming ceremony, her daughter Isabel spoke of growing up in Warragul’s parks, surrounded by the community spaces her mother helped shape, now forever connected to her memory. The Mayor reflected that “Ms Koochew epitomised the meaning of community and is incredibly deserving of this honour.”