From training soldiers to chasing her wings - Army Reserve Force soldier named Reservist of the Year

Christchurch-born Lance Corporal Toohey joined the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR) as an Army Reservist in July 2020, while juggling a neuroscience degree at the University of Otago in Dunedin.

“I like being challenged and want to be busy all the time, which is why I joined the Reserves in the first place, and why I have an abundance of hobbies – you’ll usually find me on the weekend trying some new fitness challenge or doing something in the bush,” she said.

After graduating from university she moved to Wellington where she juggled a full-time role as a software engineer with professional services company Accenture, with a busy schedule of exercises with 5^th/7^th Battalion.

“At university it was quite easy because of the flexibility you have, but juggling full time employment was a different challenge. You really have to manage yourself and your time well, and for me it meant choosing the Army Reserve Force exercises that were a priority, and I was lucky that my work was so flexible,” Lance Corporal Toohey said.

Her citation read that over the course of her five years in service she has “developed as a highly capable and dedicated junior leader” who has consistently demonstrated the values and ethos of the New Zealand Army, Ngati Tumatauenga, and the wider NZDF.

“Just having my unit nominate me was pretty special. I feel like I’ve got so much out in terms of resilience, experience, and opportunities as a reservist.”

She didn’t have much time to celebrate her award, getting straight back on the road to Waiouru Military Camp to resume her duties as a drill instructor on the Regular Territorial Force Basic Recruit Training course.

Lance Corporal Toohey has regularly been involved in major activities and exercises both domestically and overseas.

In 2023, she was selected to represent 5/7 RNZIR at the Australian Defence Force’s Exercise Bardia, where she trained alongside an Australian Reserve Mounted Rifle Regiment.  

Last year, LCPL Toohey was a key member of the 5/7 RNZIR team that competed in the 1^st (NZ) Brigade Skill at Arms competition where her team won the Harding Cup for the top NZ Army Reserve team.  

She has also previously earned a Commander's Commendation for her outstanding contribution working alongside our military partners, where she adapted her instructional style in order to build relationships and break down communication barriers.

Lance Corporal Toohey’s drive and determination means she rarely slows down, and she’s now set to pursue a full-time career of service having recently been accepted by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) for pilot training.

“My recent deployments have made it clear to me that I wanted to serve with Defence full time, and so I was looking at different roles and positions. I’ve been lucky to work with RNZAF No. 3 Squadron and their NH90s a couple of times, and being a pilot has always been an idea that’s floated in my head, and so I just thought why not? Why couldn’t I give that a go, and if I don’t try now, when would I?  

“It's been a hectic couple of weeks. I completed my first ultra-marathon in Christchurch, then I found out that I’d been accepted into Wings (pilot training) and now recognised as Reservist of the Year. My family tell me I should buy a lotto ticket.”