Meet our board
Phil Callan – Director
Gae Rheinberger – Director
Kate Ireland – Director
Catherine Bateman – Director
Robert Hartemink – Director
Rodney McDonald- Director
Daniel Murphy – Director
Chris Cheung – Director
Melissa Fay – Director
Matt Sierp – Company Secretary
Meet our team

Matt Sierp – Chief Executive Officer
Matt has worked at Sapphire Coast Community Aged Care Ltd since 2017. As Chief Executive Officer, he leads and manages all aspects of the organisation’s operations, its people and resources.
Matt has overseen many changes including a new addition at Hillgrove House and upgrades at Imlay House, along with preparing for construction of new retirement communities in Bega and Bombala, and expansion in our home care sector.
Matt’s focus is to provide the facilities, programs and staff required to deliver quality lifestyle choices to our community — in home, retirement and residential care on the Sapphire Coast and surrounding communities — in step with up-to-date views in the aged care industry.
Matt is an experienced, client-focused and dedicated health professional with over 30 years’ experience in the aged care industry. Matt has a wealth of experience in community, retirement communities and care facilities and has developed his clinical and business management expertise while providing effective executive leadership for a number of aged care organisations. Matt is a Registered Nurse and also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Julie Evans – Chief Operations Officer
For over 30 years, Julie has served as a Registered Nurse in a range of clinical and leadership roles across aged care, acute care and community settings. Julie is experienced in senior operational and strategic management, with a track record of delivering high quality service outcomes.
Julie has worked for Sapphire Coast Community Aged Care Ltd since 2020, initially as a Registered Nurse and then joining the corporate team in governance and service operations roles in 2021.
As COO, Julie is responsible for ensuring that Sapphire Coast Aged Care Ltd meets the aged care quality standards and compliance requirements across Residential and Home care services. Her commitment to fostering a diverse, skilled and adaptable team ensures we are well placed to meet the changing landscape of aged care.
Julie is proud to be part of a community with a rich history of putting people first; she is committed to building strong partnerships with that community, developing cooperative and effective relationships with all key stakeholders. She has a genuine interest in people and a passion for ensuring SCCAC delivers sustainable services into the future.
Gai Lyon-Priestley – Finance Manager
Gai manages and oversees all of the financial functions of the company with her Finance Team.
Gai has been with Sapphire Coast Community Aged Care Ltd since 2014. At that time, The Oaks Country Village Ltd was a separate entity in the group, and Imlay House belonged to a different operator altogether. Gai was instrumental in the merger of all of these businesses into the burgeoning structure we have today.
Gai has been a Certified Practising Accountant for 25 years and has extensive experience in both public practice and in corporate and management accounting. She has worked with organisations of all sizes, from just a few employees up to listed public companies. The depth of knowledge she has gained allows her to offer analysis and insights that drive positive change at every level.
Gai is very much enjoying being part of a community-owned PBI, and is planning to continue with SCACC until she is ready to move in.
Steve Canby – Facility Manager, Imlay House
As Facility Manager, Imlay House, Steve manages 70 staff and oversees Imlay’s operational activities and human resources.
Steve began working in the care industry some 30 years ago, with a degree in Community Education, majoring in Advocacy and Disability Studies. Steve began his career as a Carer in a brain injury unit, where he progressed to Team Leader. He went on to serve as Manager of Disability Services (including overseeing nursery, outdoor gardening and accommodation teams) before serving in Senior Management roles.
Steve has worked at Sapphire Coast Community Aged Care since 2019, initially as Home Care Manager and now in the role of Facility Manager. With so many changes in the world and the industry since 2019, the last three years have been a very steep learning curve — though, for Steve, there will always be new things to learn.
The provision of client-focused services has always been a passion of Steve’s. The drive to develop and implement new and exciting innovations is a key factor in all future planning.
Jo Deacon – Clinical Governance Manager
Jo has over 25 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse across the aged, community and healthcare settings. Jo’s diverse background has included senior leadership roles within the private and public health sector, including project management, education, operations, and clinical governance. This experience has helped build expertise in regulatory compliance, clinical process as well as staff and resource management.
Jo is a solution focussed healthcare leader, used to working with diverse teams and developing individual strengths. Jo is committed to her personal growth and is continuing her education, currently undertaking a Master in Public Health.
Jo started with Sapphire Coast Community Aged Care Ltd in 2022 as the Clinical Governance Manager. This role provides oversight to the clinical teams across residential and home care services to ensure we are meeting the requirements of aged care standards in clinical care and continuously improving the service we deliver.
Jo brings passion and enthusiasm to the service as she works with leaders and clinical staff to bring our purpose – ‘Your Life, Your Choice, Our Care’ – a reality each day for our customers.