Once Queensland’s industrial powerhouse, historical and charming Maryborough was best known for producing naval ships, railway locomotives and other similar goods. However, it has since become known for producing, in the 20th century, one of the world’s most beloved authors, and her stories have put Maryborough on the map in a completely new way. We’re talking, of course, about P.L. Travers, the woman behind none other than Mary Poppins.
Born Helen Lyndon Goff, Pamela Travers spent her first few years in this town, in the second storey residence of a building on Richmond Street — known as Cherry Tree Lane — which has now been converted to a museum, The Story Bank, offering tours and events year-round. As visitors cross the threshold they are transported to the world where Mary Poppins began, and can opt to go on a self-guided journey of the Magical Mary Trail or take a private tour, complete with morning tea with a Mary Poppins-inspired character!
What to expect
But The Story Bank is not Maryborough’s only P.L. Travers-related claim to fame. Back in 1999, as a way to honour the author on her 100th birthday, a group of women — now known as The Proud Marys — held a Birthday Afternoon Tea to celebrate, followed shortly by the first Mary Poppins Market Day, with a brass band and a colourful parade. The event quickly grew and by 2007 had evolved into no less than a Mary Poppins Festival!
This town-wide celebration is all about the art of storytelling, transporting kids and adults alike into a world full of play and imagination. Maryborough’s heritage streetscapes and riverside parks are transformed through a wondrous program that transcends genres and presents a mix of art, culture, music and literature.
This free event is guaranteed to entertain the whole family, with festival favourites, such as live performances, pavement art, kite decorating, food vendors and, best of all, a grand sing-along parade, coming back to delight year after year. There are also themed competitions, including a costume contest for several of the classic Mary Poppins characters, races, a chimney sweep challenge and more!
This year, they’re trying to break the world record for “The Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Mary Poppins Themed Characters” for the Australian Book of Records, so if you want to make history, sign in at the top of Wharf Street from 1:15pm on event day, to be ready for the record attempt at 1:45pm, no spoonful of sugar needed!
Practical info
This year’s Mary Poppins festival will be held on Sunday, July 5 from 9am to 3pm in the Portside Precinct and the spectacular Queen’s Park at Maryborough.
Keep an eye out on their website for this year’s supercalifragilisticexpialidocious program and, if you want to enter any competitions, you can find the requirements here.
Entry to the festival is free, but tickets are required for The Story Bank. You can get those here.
There is free street parking available in surrounding streets, any parking regulations on side roads will still apply.
