Connect and Learn - Compost Chat with Dave

Connect & Learn + Share Table

Compost Chat with Dave

presented by Dave Toal

Monday 15 September 2025

6.30 pm - 8.30 pm

at Level 3 Meeting Rooms, Toowoomba City Library, Corner of Herries and Victoria Streets, Toowoomba, QLD 4350

or online via Zoom

You'll receive the Zoom link after you book.

This event is organised by Permaculture Toowoomba Inc.

Bookings are Essential

Please book so we have your contact details and know how many will be attending.

What We'll Do

6.30 pm - Learn - Compost Chat with Dave

Presented by Dave Toal

Join us for this informative conversation with expert composter Dave Toal. This will help you start composting, or improve your current composting so you don't need to use the green bin.

What you'll hear:

• Intro to Composting

• Insight into the Commercial Composting Industry

• What is the right system for you?

• When is your Compost ready to use?

• Making and Using Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB)

• Compost Use Cases

  • Drench Vs. Tea

  • Seed Raising Mixes

  • Mulches

• Bring a Photo or Video of your Compost Problems and we'll see if we can help get you on the right track.

• Is there enough ground swell for Community Composting in our region?

About Dave Toal

Born in Ireland, Moved to Australia at 2yo. Grew up near Bribie Island north of Brisbane.. I worked during my teen years at "Peach Trees" a Peach, Nectarine and Passionfruit Farm where they were definitely NPK Farmers. Seeing the amount of Chemicals and the amount of money being used there swayed me to use as many organic practices as possible in my own gardens.

Once finishing school I joined the Army as an Avionics Technician, working on Blackhawk and MRH90 Helicopters. In 2013 when my first son was born I moved into teaching Helicopter Types Courses at Oakey. In late 2018 when the original Australian Blackhawks retired I was made redundant. With Family established in Toowoomba I commuted 2 hrs (each way) to Brisbane airport to Teach Aircraft Trade courses at Aviation Australia.

After 2 years of this I made the decision to join my brother's company and establish the Eggersmann range of organic recycling equipment here in Australia. Coming from a C & D waste background, we were designing Building and Constructing Composting Facilities and providing a wide range of technology options.

As part of this we established a company called Renew Organics and won the tender to process organics for Tamworth Regional Council. I was lucky enough to be involved in designing and implementing this site through to operating the site for its first 12 months.

About 12 months ago I made the difficult decision to leave the business and return to my base trade - I'm now the Training Lead for Boeing Defence Australia's Contract with the Republic of Singapore Air Force, responsible for teaching our crew how to maintain the CH-47F Chinook Helicopters.

I'm a father of three with a loving and supportive wife Dominique, I have a love of family, aircraft, radios and compost. If I'm not making compost or working on developing our little food forest, I might be using HF Radio to communicate to people all over the world.

7.45 pm – Connect – Light Supper (provided) and Share Table

A light supper will be served (including Gluten Free and Vegan options).

Please bring your own KeepCup or mug so we can reduce waste.

Sharing of produce on the Share Table opens after the presentation to allow plenty of time for everyone to place their donations, and then allow you to browse, connect and make your selections during supper

Parking

Free off-street parking is available under the library (enter from Victoria Street).

Access

The venue has access for wheelchairs, walking frames, and strollers as needed. Everyone is welcome (including children with parental supervision).

We hope we see you there!

What to Bring

• KeepCup or similar for your drink at supper (we're trying to minimise waste) 

• Donations of surplus produce for the Share Table

Share Table

Do you have surplus?

We encourage you to bring your surplus produce, plants, seeds, books, craft supplies, and resources to share with others at our events.

Some ideas of what you could bring include – fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs, honey, milk, jams, pickles, preserves, jars, ferments, starters, SCOBYs, seeds, plants, seedlings, cuttings, tubers, pots, tools, gardening magazines, permaculture books, recipes, patterns, manure, coffee grounds, compost additives, worms, mealworms, wool, fabric, craft supplies, soap, natural cleaning products, plastic alternatives, produce bags – the list is extensive.

Please bring whatever you can and then take home whatever you need within our culture of generosity and free sharing

Cost

• Financial Members of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. - Free

• First-time Visitors to a Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. Event - $10 per person

• Non-Members - $20 per person

• Children attending with an Adult - Free (but please book so we know the total numbers)

Membership 2025

Annual Membership of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. is due by 31 December each year. It's only $50 per person or $40 for a second or subsequent adult living in the same home.  

Financial Members can attend events and workshops during the year at no cost. 

You can pay your membership for 2025 at checkout when you book to attend this event.

Membership forms will be available at the event for anyone wishing to join, or available here for download at http://www.permaculturetoowoomba.com.au/membership/