Board of Directors
Ashleigh House Senior Living
Board of Directors
The executive committees are experienced professional staff and dedicated volunteers who set the direction of our organization. They are devoted to what they do, and they are our most important asset.
Dr. Josh Fergeus
Ashleigh House Chair
Dr Josh Fergeus joined the Board as Chair in January 2025. Josh is passionate about positive ageing and has held leadership and governance roles in aged care organisations and programs in both Australia and the United Kingdom.
Outside of his duties as Chair, Josh is the Chief Executive Officer of the charity Kevin Heinze GROW (KHG). KHG has operated for more than 45 years creating opportunities for meaningful inclusion and positive personal development through therapeutic horticulture, primarily for people with a disability.
Josh is a Member of several decision-making Tribunals and Panels including:
- the Mental Health Tribunal, assessing applications for compulsory treatment orders within the health system
- the Suitability Panel, ruling on allegations of abuse and neglect within the out-of-home care system
- the Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme Panel, investigating the conduct of workers and volunteers in the out-of-home care system.
Josh is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and has extensive professional and governance experience. He is Independent Chair of the North-Eastern Montessori School and a Board Director at Robinvale District Health Services. Josh is a former Vice-President of the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA).
Josh completed his PhD thesis titled ‘The needs of foster and kinship carers and the mental health and wellbeing of children’ at Melbourne University, and holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work and Bachelor’s Degrees in Arts and Teaching.”
Sam Forbes
Ashleigh House Deputy Chair
I moved to Sale in 2016 to be with my partner, who now works at the hospital. My work with the Wellington Shire Council involved developing a positive ageing strategy for the Shire and running a grants program to help people age well in the local community.
I’ve continued to work in the community sector, focusing on mental health, disability, and bushfire recovery, including through my own business. Currently, I work in politics.
As a volunteer with Ashleigh House, I am dedicated to supporting our community in coming together to care for our loved ones, driven purely by compassion rather than profit or other motives.
Board Members
George Foggo
Director
I arrived in Sale in 1971 with the RAAF at East Sale. It was here that I met and married a wonderful woman from Maffra, and we’ve spent the last 50 years enjoying life in this beautiful local area.
Driven by my passion for providing sustainable, safe, and caring accommodation for the elderly in our community, I became involved with Ashleigh House about 12 years ago as a board member.
Justin Robson
Director
Hi there, My name is Justin I live in Maffra with my wife and our two kids. As a founding director of Gippsland Accounting Solutions in Sale, I bring financial expertise to the board. I am a member of CPA Australia and an alumnus of the Gippsland Community Leadership Program. Believing in giving back to the community, I joined the board of Ashleigh House to help ensure this facility remains available to all elderly citizens for many years to come.
Cassie Mayman
Director
Hello, I’m Cassie, I’ve spent most of my life in Sale and currently live in Longford with my husband and our two children. With experience in managing a general practice, I now work at Gippsland Primary Health Network, where I’m dedicated to enhancing the local health system. A key focus area for me in my role at Gippsland PHN is emergency management. Additionally, I serve on the Sale Neighbourhood House board and am passionate about advocating for quality care, affordable services, and inclusive care.
Darin Roy
Director
Hi, Darin here. I am a local resident of Sale and grew up on a hobby farm in Newry. With a diploma in international business, my career has spanned across hospitality, banking, utilities, and health sectors. Drawing on the skills and knowledge acquired from these industries, I am driven to give back to the community that has played a significant role in shaping who I am today.
Paul Telfer
Director
Paul Telfer has lived in sale since the early 70’s when his parents moved here, Paul’s early work years where in local government and economic development which fostered an interest in community service. This was followed by 16 years in Real Estate before changing career to conveyancing. Paul’s Mother was involved in Ashleigh house fund raising for many years and both Paul’s parents ended their lives with dignity in Ashleigh House. Paul is very proud of this wonderful community asset.
Nic Balfour
Director
Hello my name is Nic, I live in Sale with my wife and three children. Previously, I served as the National Aged Care Manager at Sigma Healthcare (ASX: SIG) before returning to community pharmacy practice in Sale. With a background in medication management, clinical governance, and IT systems in both Australia and the United Kingdom, I am passionate about improving the quality of life for the elderly. I believe that developing Ashleigh House is crucial to safeguarding the dignity, care, and respect of our elderly citizens.
Peter Somerville
Director
Having worked for more than a decade as a journalist and editor, and now consulting to some of Australia’s leading agribusinesses and environmental organisations, Peter has a strong background in communications and community engagement. Peter worked for News Corp Australia and Fairfax Media before returning to Sale to work for the ABC and now Currie Communications.
He hails from East Gippsland and has a passion for helping regional communities thrive.
He operates the Sale Coworking Hub – a flexible, shared office space that caters to remote workers and the business community, providing a space for them to collaborate and connect.
Peter has many family connections with the healthcare industry. He wants to use his skills to enhance community relationships and help Ashleigh House provide quality care for generations to come.
Peter serves on the Rural Press Club of Victoria committee and holds qualifications in marketing and communications, as well as a Certificate of Engagement from the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2).
