This week’s instalment of ‘My Brumbies Ride’ aligns with National Volunteers Week. As such, it makes sense to focus on someone who has given so much of their time to both The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies and, more broadly, ACT Rugby Union.
Jaye Grieshaber was awarded the ACT and SNSW Rugby Union Volunteer of the Year at the MacDougall medal awards in 2024. As someone who has given invaluable time to the club, it was only natural to speak to her about her journey with the Brumbies.
National Volunteer Week (May 19-25) is Australia’s largest celebration of volunteers. Without volunteers, community sports simply wouldn’t happen.
Jaye’s introduction to the Brumbies – and rugby in general – provides a unique story. A Townsville product, Jaye grew up with little knowledge of the beautiful world of rugby union. In fact, it wasn’t until she moved to Canberra for work that she truly came to understand the great game.
Her journey behind the camera began at the Gungahlin Eagles, where her partner, Nick, is a player and coach.
“I was on the sidelines watching and I just thought to myself, ‘surely I can do more?’ So, I picked up an old camera and began shooting the games.”
Jaye sent those snaps to the club, who then asked her if she would be interested in becoming the club’s official photographer.
“I was completely self-taught. I never did any courses or anything. The funny thing is, I look back on those photos now and I can’t believe I sent them to the club. I look at those photos and think they were horrible!”
Gungahlin clearly thought otherwise, as in 2015 she took up their offer and spent her Saturdays at Nicholls capturing the action.
Her journey with the Brumbies, however, didn’t start until three years later. It was through Rian Murphy, the former communications coordinator, that Jaye got her first taste of Super Rugby.
As she puts it “I started with the Brumbies and never looked back. It is an awesome opportunity to be part of the media team at the club, and something I think is really special.”
The most important question of all is why? Why, as a volunteer, does Jaye give countless hours to both the Brumbies and ACT Rugby Union? What is it that motivates her? And what does she feel she gets in return?
The answer feeds into her love of the sport that has been front and centre in Jaye’s life since 2015.
“I get to have a piece of history. It’s something I can look back on and think, wow, I was a part of that”.
It’s that sense of history that elevates a select few memories in Jaye’s time photographing rugby. One such memory is shared with the wider Brumbies community.
In September 2020 - as the world came to grips with the reality of COVID - the Brumbies confirmed their status as the premier Australian club, securing a 28-23 victory over the Queensland Reds. Amongst the 6000 fans (due to restrictions) and Brumbies staff was Jaye, whose photo of the celebrations captured the enormity of the moment.
Then there is another, more personal photo that stands out as her favourite. Having become a part of the fabric at the Gungahlin Eagles, a pair of debutants provided her with a special moment. The debuts of Mack Hansen and Tom Ross in 2019 mirrored her own journey from the Eagles to the Brumbies. On top of that, both Hansen (who has recently been selected for the British and Irish Lions) and Ross were Daramalan students, the school which her partner, Nick, attended, and her daughter now represents in rugby.
The crowning moment in Jaye’s Brumbies journey was no doubt being awarded the ACT & SNSW Rugby Union Volunteer of the Year at the MacDougall Medal awards.
Her humility on full display, Jaye had precious little idea that she was to receive the award.
“I actually thought I was part of a rent-a-crowd. Gungahlin had other people there so I thought I was there to make sure there was a crowd for the awards.”
Safe to say, she received a shock when her name was read out for the award.
“I couldn’t believe it. I thought the award was for coaches or assistants, I didn’t think it was even possible.”
It certainly was possible, and you would be hard-pressed to find a more deserving recipient.
You will always see Jaye at Brumbies home games, snapping away in her distinct, self-taught style. From a Townsville local with little knowledge of the sport, Jaye’s rugby photography has opened up doors she never could have imagined. Recently, she was able to photograph the Wallaroos on home soil, as well as working with Rugby Australia on development Australian teams.
While each and every fan, player, and staff member plays a crucial role at the club, it is volunteers like Jaye that help form the heartbeat of the Brumbies.
To see more of Jaye’s work, head to her Instagram here: @jayzie.photography
