Woollahra Philosophy Club: If History Was a Poem, What Does it Mean?

Explore timeless questions of truth, beauty, & meaning. We blend philosophy, humour, science, and wisdom to navigate today’s complex world.

Ten voices explore one timeless question: If history was a poem, what does it mean?

Each thinker improvises, tracing how the past, present, and future resonate through art, poetry, and philosophy.

From Shelley’s Ozymandias to van Gogh’s search for beauty, from ancient wisdom to modern thought, this series reveals how imagination reshapes memory and art transforms our understanding of time. Join us for ten luminous reflections on the poetry of history — where wonder, wisdom, and warning intertwine.

When: Wednesday 28 January – Wednesday 1 April 2026 (Term 1)

Where: Cultural Hub, ground floor, Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf

Time: 10am -12pm

This in-person course will be held at the Cultural Hub, Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf.

Welcome to the Woollahra Philosophy Club where all things of a philosophical nature are considered. Listen and learn, discuss and debate. Hosted by Woollahra Council, in partnership with the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) Sydney, we invite you to participate. It’s fun, it’s friendly, it’s fulfilling – it’s philosophical!

Getting here: Parking and public transport are available nearby. There are two disability parking spaces available outside the Council Chambers. There is a public car park located at Cross Street, Double Bay. If you are arriving via UBER or TAXI please request a drop or collection at the Council Chambers.

Events may be photographed, and images used for promotional purposes on Council's website or social media. If you do not wish your image to be published, please notify staff before the event.

Paid tickets are not transferable or refundable.

Do not attend the event if you are feeling unwell. If you join a waitlist, we will contact you if a ticket becomes available.

Proudly supported by @WoollahraCouncil.

Image: Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851). Venice: The Dogana and San Giorgio Maggiore (1834). National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., United States. Courtesy: Widener Collection.