EVENTS
KNOWONDER
Join us for KNOWONDER, a community event dedicated to inspiration, connection, and the joy of discovery. This is a unique opportunity where the School’s senior students give back, drawing on years of study and experience to present insightful workshops for newer students, their families, and friends.
What to Expect
The day is structured around two 90-minute sessions of your choice. Each workshop is interactive, with plenty of space for thoughtful questions and collaborative group discussion. Between sessions, enjoy a tea break and a wholesome vegetarian lunch —perfect moments to forge new friendships and reflect on the morning's insights.
The day culminates in a keynote address for all participants: Living Well, Wisely by guest speaker from Melbourne, Marita Brewster.
WHEN
Sat, 16 May 2026, 8:45am - 3:15pm (AEST)
SCHEDULE
8.45-9.05am: Arrival and welcome
9.05-10.30am: Session one (choose from 5 talks, outlined below)
10.30-11am: Morning tea
11am-12.30pm: Session two (choose from 5 talks, outlined below)
12:30-1.30pm: Lunch
1.30-3pm: Session three: Keynote presentation (all to attend)
3pm: Farewell
WHERE
38-42 Berwick Street Fortitude Valley (at Music Industry College). Close to public transport, and paid parking available.
WHO
Everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of attendance at the School of Philosophy
COST
$60, including tea and lunch
Session one: 9-10:30am
What would Plato say?
Presenter: Marita Brewster
Plato, one of the greatest philosophers of all time, wrote his dialogues in the 5th Century BC. He was addressing the issues that the world was facing at that time. What issues do we face in our own modern-day world? And how might Plato’s writings assist us in addressing them? Using a dialectical approach, we will explore some of those issues and examine some words of Plato to see how he might help us.
Perspectives
Presenter: Susan Garside
What sort of perspective do we have on life? Do we have an open mind and heart, a generosity when looking at the world?
Can we stand back and view it clearly or do we get caught in the nitty gritty of something only to find that a week later it has been totally forgotten and is of no consequence?
This is not to suggest that we need to view life dispassionately. Instead, it’s an invitation to notice how being caught up can quietly limit our ability to offer our best and contribute meaningfully to the world.
Work and its Secret
Presenter: Richard Dolphin
Drawing on the knowledge of philosophers and wise teachings of the past, this talk looks at how our work can become a source of greater fulfillment and service to all. We’ll explore how to find the inspiration to move beyond the daily grind and discover a more meaningful way of living. By shifting our focus, we can turn our everyday actions into a path of purpose and freedom.
Life, Death, and Living Fully
Presenter: Christine Lawless
Since the beginning of time philosophers have asserted that death doesn’t exist. So does it? Nothing clears a table faster than asking ‘so let’s talk about Death’. Join me in exploring what contemplating death reveals about living fully now—and why this inquiry may be more vital, and less morbid, than we think.
A taste of Philosophy: Wisdom Within course
Presenter: Thomas Atkin
This lively and interactive session offers a taster of our 10-week course, The Wisdom Within. Blending mindfulness and practical philosophy, it introduces simple, real-world tools for meeting life’s challenges with greater clarity and awareness.
Together, we’ll explore questions such as: What holds me back? What sets me free? Who am I? This talk invites you to reflect, inquire, and discover a deeper sense of meaning, presence, and inner wisdom.
Session two: 11am-12:30pm
The Art of Letting Go: Finding True Freedom
Presenter: Thomas Atkin
Discover the true meaning of freedom. Freedom arises not from doing whatever we want but from mastering ourselves. Through self-discipline, awareness, and mindful action, we can discover inner freedom that is steady, conscious, and independent of external circumstances.
This workshop explores the meaning of freedom, focusing on self-discipline, awareness, and inner choice. Through philosophical insights, reflective exercises, and practical tasks, participants discover how letting go of attachments and mastering attention fosters authentic, self-governed freedom.
How to be Your Own Best Mentor
Presenter: Sam Grace
Most of us know what our values are, but it’s a different story to actually live by them when life gets difficult. Drawing on the practical strength of Stoic philosophy, we’ll explore how to find steady ground by distinguishing between what is truly ours and what is simply out of our hands. By recruiting a "Super Person" through blending the best traits of those we most admire, we can create a North Star for our own conduct and find a way to stay truly awake to our lives.
Collaborating with Creativity
Presenter: Bianca Hines
Whether facing a difficult decision or a blank page, the internal mechanics of being "stuck" are the same. This session is an exploration of the mental loops and "fixed" states that close us off- in our endeavors and in life itself. Drawing on Eastern and Western philosophy, we combine activity, reflection, and discourse to see what happens when we step back from our fear-based ideas and unleash our creativity.
"Creation is the soul’s way of remembering the beauty it once knew. We do not invent; we uncover the harmony that was always there." Plato
Shakespeare
Presenter: Rex Howard
Shakespeare and Philosophy - The influence of Shakespeare is pervasive in the way we think and speak even though we may not be aware of the influence, even if we have never seen a Shakespeare play. His writings also remind us about the transcendent behind the play of creation.
Dadirri: A Practice of Deep Listening and Still Awareness
Presenter: Jacqui Atkin
Discover the quiet strength of Dadirri — an Aboriginal practice of inner deep listening, presence, and connection to Country. This 90‑minute session offers guided reflection, shared silence, and simple practices to bring “tiny drops of stillness” into everyday life.
Keynote address (session 3): Living Well, Wisely
Presenter: Marita Brewster
Living Well, Living Wisely is a masterclass in human flourishing. Far more than a guide, it offers a vital “liberation from ‘me’ to ‘we’,” providing the clarity and inner strength to lead a life of true purpose. A powerful antidote to modern noise, it blends ancient and modern wisdom with practical insights for all stages of life.
The book is the legacy of Laura Hyde, a formidable authority in Education and Philosophy with 28 years of leadership. We are fortunate to have Marita Brewster, who heads the Plato Faculty at the School of Philosophy in Melbourne and lectures both locally and internationally, presenting this keynote. Marita’s dedication was instrumental in bringing this work to light. Attendees will receive an exclusive preview and taster - a rare opportunity to experience this work a full month before its official release.
