It is with great sadness that Yarra Valley Arts (YVR) share the news of the sudden passing of Fredy Kocher on Sunday 1 June.
Fredy was a dedicated and much-loved member of YVR for around 30 years.
He was not only a passionate supporter of the arts but also a tireless volunteer whose quiet generosity helped build and sustain the YVR community.
Many of you will remember Fredy from the YVA Summer School Workshops, where he filmed classes, helped with preparations and pack-downs, and assisted in hanging exhibitions.
Over the past five years, he also cared weekly for the YVA Street Art Library in Healesville – just one of many ways he gave his time and energy.
Fredy’s kindness, reliability, and warmth touched many of YVR members.
His contributions over the years have left a lasting legacy, and YVR knows he will be missed by so many members of the Yarra Valley community.
Fredy was born in Switzerland in 1940 and arrived in Australia at the age of 20.
He and Mim married in 1966 and shortly afterwards lived in Switzerland for two years.
Two sons were born, Nicholas and Alexander.
The family lived in Boronia for 20 happy years.
In 1984, they bought some land in Healesville, and Fredy built a house there, all by himself.
He established a vineyard, Settler’s Oak, and made and sold wine.
Mim and Fredy moved into their new house in 1995 and loved their life and many friends in this beautiful town.
They visited Fredy’s beloved family in Switzerland many times over their 59 years of marriage and often had Swiss family members visit them.
Fredy’s main work throughout his life was as an air conditioning engineer.
However, at one time, he established a small shop in the East End, called Gumtree Cottage, which stocked only Australian made goods.
Fredy is being deeply mourned by Mim, sons Nic and Alex, daughters in law Joanna and Clare, and their five grandchildren, Daisy, Oscar, Rollo, Gabe and Sage.
They will hold their beloved Fredy in their hearts forever.
