Local philanthropist gives $1 million to Canberra Hospital - ABC Local

Sotiria Liangis and her late husband Angelo, a shoe maker, arrived in Canberra from Greece in 1961. From their first shoe repair shop in Narrabundah they built a major commercial property and investment business which Mrs Liangis still runs with her son John.

The Liangis family is also known for its philanthropic work, though Mrs Liangis says she doesn't feel comfortable talking about it. However in a rare interview at the Canberra Hospital she explained what's prompted her most recent gift to the community - $1m over five years to the Canberra Hospital Foundation.

"It's really very important because we prospered," she said. "I feel very, very, very passionate about children, sick children, and families ... and if I can help, why not?"

Special spaces

The generous donation has already enabled the hospital to build special spaces at the new Women and Children's Centenary Hospital, including a Therapeutic Garden where children can exercise or learn to walk again and a Reflective Garden where parents can spend precious, intimate time with dying or deceased children.

"Unfortunately and sadly, babies die in our hospital - and children - every year," said Liz Chatham, executive director of the Women, Youth and Children's Division at the hospital. "This is just a really beautiful space where we can bring the family down to spend some very special time with their little child, or baby, and create some lovely memories."

Reflective Garden

The garden is in a small private courtyard open to the sky. A pink rose called Mother's Love is blooming and a water feature provides a soothing backdrop. To the west, beyond a car park and helicopter landing pad, there are views to the Brindabella Mountains.

Mrs Liangis was visibly moved when she saw the Reflective Garden for the first time. She wiped away tears as she recalled spending time in a similar garden when her husband was seriously ill in hospital in Sydney.

"Absolutely magnificent," she said softly, as she gazed around the oasis her donation has created. "You can feel the freshness, you can feel the fresh air - you can feel the love they have put [in] to really create it and I hope this will make a lot of difference to the people who are actually using it."

Mrs Liangis was accompanied by her son John, hospital staff including Katie McKenzie, Director of Paediatric Nursing, members of the Canberra Hospital Foundation, and her friends from the Canberra Committee of the Starlight Foundation, including Margaret Job and Fiona Sanfrancesco, which has also raised funds for Women and Children's Centenary Hospital.

"In the years to come [the garden is] going to really grow bigger," she said. "If we can all help and make a little difference, how good is that?"