One woman’s vision. Thousands of children’s lives changed forever.

A story of compassion, courage, and a relentless belief in knowledge that transformed healthcare and placed Western Australia at the forefront of global research.

Perth Symphony invites you into the world of Professor Fiona Stanley, paediatrician, public health reformer, advocate for children, and one of Western Australia’s most influential voices in medicine and social change.

This intimate chamber production traces Fiona’s journey from her early years as a trainee doctor volunteering in Port Hedland and Papua New Guinea, to the pivotal moment that reshaped her life’s work: the death of an Aboriginal child in her arms. What followed was a lifelong mission to challenge systems, improve outcomes, and fight for the well-being of vulnerable children.

Set against a powerful score of choral music, string orchestra and piano featuring works by Philip Glass, Felix Mendelssohn, Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludovico Einaudi, Fiona’s story unfolds through live performance, evocative visuals and moving narration by renowned paediatrician and longtime friend Desiree Silva, Co-Director of ORIGINS. 

Step inside the life of a Western Australian whose work continues to shape children’s futures across the globe.

Public Ticket Release: 5pm, Tuesday, May 19