Matthew Rochow is a 35-year-old entrepreneur, with an interest in technology and IT, realising early on its vast potential, from gaming and making money to problem-solving.
While he initially thought he’d venture into business, he gravitated toward web development instead, taking a hands-on approach, teaching himself coding and gradually building his skills.
Since finishing school Matthew has run his own business called Infinity Web Development which specialises in programming and has contracts in the U.S., Canada, and the UK.
He even manages a team of overseas developers too.
Matthew likens coding to learning a new language, explaining that programming is essentially translating English instructions into functional commands.
In his view, if you can logically articulate a process in plain English, such as describing a button's function, you can write it in code.
With AI rapidly evolving, he’s intrigued by its ability to automate this translation process.
However, he doesn’t believe AI will drastically impact job markets.
While automation might replace certain roles, he sees it as part of a natural cycle where new industries and job opportunities will appear.
Born in Brisbane in 1989, Matthew's family moved to Hervey Bay when he was nine, following his grandparents, who had already settled in the area.
His grandfather, a builder, played a role in shaping the town, helping construct the Hervey Bay PCYC in the late ’90s and later contributing to the university and various other projects.
Matthew credits his parents with instilling the values of hard work and long-term goal setting.
His first job, however, had nothing to do with IT, it was a brief stint in a fast-food shop, lasting only a couple of months.
Outside of work, Matthew leads an active lifestyle and has always enjoyed sports.
During his school days, he played touch football, cricket, and soccer, later adding tennis, badminton, golf, squash, and pickleball to his list.
These days, he primarily focuses on tennis and pickleball, enjoying the competitive, social, and fitness aspects of the games.
His introduction to pickleball came about as a way to stay active during the rainy summer months when outdoor sports become difficult.
The PCYC offered pickleball and Matthew was instantly hooked.
He has now been playing for two and a half years and serves on the committee of the Hervey Bay Pickleball Club.
The sport has taken off both locally and globally, with the club boasting around 150 members and 15 dedicated courts behind the Hervey Bay PCYC.
Last year, the club received a grant from the Fraser Coast Regional Council, helping to further develop the sport in the region.
Matthew shares his excitement, saying, “I’d love to see the game and its community continue to grow, with more people getting involved. It’s such a fantastic experience and so much fun for everyone!”
Away from the court, Matthew and his wife, Bec, have been together since meeting at Hervey Bay High School.
Married for six years, they share their home with two gorgeous dogs, one of whom is a 17-year-old Moodle.
Before COVID, the couple were avid travellers, visiting 50 countries across Europe and Asia.
Matthew particularly enjoys destinations like Hong Kong and Singapore, which blend Western conveniences with a relaxed, old-school charm.
As Hervey Bay continues to grow, Matthew appreciates the opportunities and challenges of a busier town.
Looking ahead, Matthew is excited about upcoming tennis and pickleball tournaments that will feed his competitive spirit, along with the possibility of a few well-earned holidays.
With his business thriving, his sports passions keeping him active, and his love for travel still burning, Matthew is making the most of every opportunity that comes his way.
By Kim Parnell
From What’s On Fraser Coast Magazine
