Rachel's party
Rachel Krieg certainly knew how to throw a party.
As a co-owner of The Howling Owl gin bar and the Rhino Room performance venue, Rachel was well known throughout Adelaide’s comedy and performing arts scene.
“Rachel lived many lives,” said her husband Mick. “She found herself going from one role to another and she’s always had an affinity for music and the performing arts. She came up with the name for the Howling Owl and wanted it to be a safe space for everyone.”
Rachel was very generous in spirit, advocating for marginalised people and the LGBTQ+ community. She supported many causes and hosted events to raise money for homeless people, refugees and Aboriginal communities.
When Rachel was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 it came as a huge surprise, as she had no symptoms. After an operation, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Rachel went into remission.
Unfortunately, the cancer returned in 2023.
“The doctors told us early on that they no longer talk about cancer being cured, they talk about being in remission instead,” said Mick.
“That was quite a surprise to us. One of the biggest things I learned is that catching the primary cancer in time is critically important. Once it spreads you can only slow it down.”
Rachel and Mick became interested in SAHMRI’s research into immunotherapy, which helped Rachel in the later stages of her treatment.
“We found out they had been treating the wrong type of cancer. If Rachel had immunotherapy sooner, it might have made more of a difference,” said Mick. “That’s what made us so passionate about SAHMRI’s research.”
When Rachel died in February 2025, aged just 50, the performing arts scene rallied to find a unique and fitting way to celebrate her life.
“Adelaide Comedy’s final Rhino Room Late Show during the Adelaide Fringe usually fell around Rachel’s birthday, and she would always turn that into her birthday celebrations. Craig Egan had the great idea for that show to become Rachel’s Party,” said Mick.
In March 2025 the Late Show sold out quickly. The community generously donated the ticket sales, artist fees and proceeds from the bar, along with additional donations from patrons, to support cancer research at SAHMRI.
“The first event was amazing,” said Mick. “As a group of friends and family it was a great opportunity to get together. I think when you’ve had a loss like that, people want to give – they want to feel like they’re doing something.”
In 2025 donations in Rachel’s memory exceeded $13,500. Rachel’s Party will return to the 2026 Adelaide Fringe in March and is planned to be an annual event.
“I’m looking forward to the one in 2026,” said Mick. “I think Rachel would have been very proud of what we’ve done. She would have been slightly embarrassed; she didn’t like to be in the limelight but deep down she would have been extremely glad of raising more awareness of cancer. She wanted people to talk about it more, it would have meant a lot to her.
“Rachel was always trying to help people. She was the most caring person I ever met, and that’s how most people would have remembered her.”
Read more stories like this in our 2025 Impact Report
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SAHMRI is located on Kaurna Country. We pay respects to the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We are committed to embracing knowledge and culture as we continue our working journey to incorporate Aboriginal health research across all of our themes and further reconciliation.
Read more"Tirki nguta tappa tangka marninithi"
(Learning and knowledge are the pathway to alter the mind)
- Uncle Lewis Yerloburka O’Brien, Kaurna Elder
