State Government appoints new Defence SA Advisory Board member
25 May 2023
Major General Kathryn Toohey, AM, CSC has been appointed to the Defence SA Advisory Board, adding an expert voice on defence capability development to the state’s key defence agency.
Defence SA is pleased to announce the appointment of Major General Kathryn Toohey, AM, CSC to the Defence SA Advisory Board (DSAAB).
With more than 35 years’ experience as an ex Army signals corps officer across varied postings, Ms Toohey has a solid track record in overseeing Defence capability development projects.
Announcing the appointment, Defence SA Chief Executive Richard Price has welcomed Ms Toohey and the expertise she will bring to the Board.
“With extensive knowledge and experience across ADF technologies and capabilities – particularly in the land, cyber and space domains – Ms Toohey joins the Board at a pivotal time,” Mr Price said.
“As we look to prepare industry for the key role South Australia will play in the transformation of Australian defence capability under AUKUS, I look forward to the insights she will bring in helping to guide the state’s future defence strategy to ensure we are best placed to take advantage of the enormous opportunities ahead.”
For the past two decades, Kathryn has specialised in military modernisation and project management. This has seen her serve as a Capability Liaison Officer for Defence in Europe, assigned directorship of the Capability and Technology Management College and appointed Director-General Integrated Capability Development, responsible for varied joint Australian Defence Force projects.
In 2017 Kathryn was appointed Head Land Capability, responsible for the modernisation of Army equipment, facilities and organisational structures, before taking on the role of Head Force Integration, within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Executive in 2019. In this role, she held responsibility for a range of complex, strategic functions impacting all three Services.
Commenting on the appointment, Ms Toohey said she was delighted to be taking on the role.
“I am a strong advocate of Australian Defence Industry and have been impressed at the focus and commitment of the South Australian Government in growing defence business,” she said. “I am also pleased to be joining a board of such experienced, distinguished directors.”
Ms Toohey looks forward to contributing to the continued growth of the South Australia’s defence industry, providing her domain specific expertise to strengthen Defence SA’s strategy to support industry to tackle the breadth and complexity of Defence and fully exploit current and future opportunities.
Retiring from the Australian Army at the rank of Major General in March 2023, Ms Toohey joins a highly experienced and respected line-up of Australia’s top Defence and industry experts on the DSAAB.
Ms Toohey has been appointed for an initial two-year term, commencing in May 2023.
