Volleyball WA is proud to recognise three extraordinary individuals who have shown exceptional dedication to our sport. Charlie Grigio, Renae Harvey, and Rory Read were awarded Volleyball WA Life Membership at our recent AGM for their outstanding contributions to our volleyball community.
Charlie, Renae, and Rory have all played pivotal roles in shaping the organisation and the volleyball landscape in WA. Their commitment has gone beyond the court, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of players, coaches, volunteers, and fans alike.
Charlie Grigio
Charlie Grigio has made a remarkable impact on the development of Volleyball WA over the past four decades. Starting his volleyball journey in 1981, he has been a key figure in both playing, coaching, refereeing and administrative roles.
Charlie’s extensive contributions include serving as the President of the Northam Volleyball Association for 12 years and serving as the current President of the Mandurah Volleyball Association for 4 years. He has been an active member of the Mandurah Volleyball Association committee since 1995, playing a pivotal role in the growth of the association and fostering a welcoming and familial atmosphere. In 2024, Charlie also coached two WAVL teams, further solidifying his commitment to the sport.
Even as a senior player, Charlie continues to invest time and effort to ensure that the sport thrives in WA. His forward-thinking approach, evident in the creation of policies and procedures, showcases his commitment to making the sport accessible and enjoyable for future generations.
Charlie continues to be a source of inspiration for clubs and associations across WA. His legacy is that of a living legend, recognised for his sportsmanship, technical expertise, and unwavering dedication. His profound impact on volleyball in WA is a testament to his enduring passion and selfless contributions.
Renae Harvey
Renae Harvey has made a significant impact on the volleyball community in WA, particularly through her contributions as a referee and mentor. Since beginning her refereeing journey in 2011, Renae has been a pivotal figure in the sport.
Renae’s dedication to the sport extends beyond just being on the court. She has been a referee course presenter since 2014 and a WA referee assessor since 2018, working tirelessly to mentor and develop the next generation of officials.
Her outstanding performance as a referee has been widely recognised, with Renae earning the Junior Referee of the Year award in 2012, the Rookie Referee of the Year in 2013, and the prestigious Referee of the Year award in 2019. In addition to these, she was selected for the Volleyball Australia International Referee Committee in 2024 and received the VWA Referee Recognition Award in 2023 for her continued excellence in officiating.
Through her tireless commitment to both officiating and mentoring, Renae has become a key figure in the development of volleyball refereeing in WA.
Rory Read
Rory Read has been a pillar of the volleyball community for over two decades. He began his journey with Rossmoyne VC in 1999, quickly becoming a key player. Rory represented the VWA State Team in Beach Volleyball in 2003, was part of the U19 Men’s National Junior Champions in 2004, and played for the U21 Men’s National Team and State Senior Team in 2005 and 2006. He was also part of State League-winning team in 2010 and 2011.
Beyond playing, Rory has made significant contributions as a coach and administrator. From 2006 to 2015, he was a State League Player-Coach, later serving as WAVL Coordinator (2016–2024) and Men’s Volleyball Coordinator (2006–2011). He served as the Vice President and held a position on the Men’s WAVL Committee for several years. His outstanding contributions were recognised in 2015 when he was awarded the VWA Award of Merit.
In addition to his administrative and leadership roles, Rory has been a dedicated coach for many years and in 2024, he became the Head Coach of the Perth Steel Men’s Team. Rory’s coaching excellence was recognised when he received the VWA Community Coach of the Year Award in 2018 and the VWA Coach of the Year Award in 2019.
Through his dedication to coaching, playing, and administration, Rory has made a profound contribution to volleyball in WA.
As life members, Charlie, Renae, and Rory join an esteemed group of individuals whose impact on Volleyball WA is immeasurable. Each of them has contributed in their own unique way, enriching the lives of countless individuals within the volleyball community. Their unwavering dedication has set a high standard for excellence, passion, and leadership, and their legacy will continue to inspire us all as we move forward and strive to make volleyball in WA even better.
We are incredibly fortunate to have such passionate, committed individuals as part of our volleyball family.
We would like to recognise our four Order of Merit recipients: Manu Nair from UWAVC, Robyn Kuhl of Volleyball WA, Laurie Drage of Kalgoorlie Volleyball Association, and Sean Andrews from Balcatta VC, who was nominated by Southern Cross VC. Their extensive contributions to the volleyball community, combined with their leadership and commitment, make them outstanding candidates for the Volleyball WA Order of Merit.