Maryborough in Queensland is my birthplace and as Peter Allen put it "
no matter how wide I roam I still call Australia home", well, I still call Maryborough home. From childhood memories of riding bicycles to school and the ringing of the bell, first loves and lost loves, working in my parents' store and working for years in an industry, of which part of it is no longer there, lost industries and the return of other industries, the ups and downs of a town's growth, Maryborough has reinvented itself as a City of history, diversity, museums, festivals and fun.
Now part of the
Fraser Coast Council, Maryborough has engaged in its history to make the past come alive once again. The
Mary Poppins Festival occurs annually with a program for this year's event commencing on Thursday 26th July at the Maryborough Markets, where the Town Crier and Mary Heritage light the cannon.
Mary Poppins Statue, outside The Story Bank Building (Author's Photo)
Over the next three days and concluding on Sunday 29th July 2021, a festival program with times and duration for each event can be read on the
website. Bookings are essential for those venues with limited numbers available to attend, so register early to avoid disappointment.
Mary Poppins, The Story Bank (Author's Photo)
This year celebrates the 13th annual Mary Poppins Festival. For four days, you and your family can enjoy storytelling for all ages, music concerts backstage and onstage at the Brolga Theatre, pop-up performances in the
Bond Store basement, rides, parades, bands, market stalls, Mary Ann Steam Train rides, workshops, magic shows and more. Not forgetting the famous Nanny Challenge, where Nannies race each other pushing prams and Chimney Sweepers compete in the Chimney Sweep Dash, which are being held in Richmond Street. Plus, there will be plenty of
Mary Poppins characters from the pages of her books mingling in the crowds each day.
A View of Queens Park, Maryborough Qld (Author's Photo)
The main day of the festival is Sunday in
Queens & Riverside Parks, with an incredible lineup of events happening continuously throughout the day from 10.00am. You may need to consider which event is your preferred one, as some cross over or occur at the same time.
Why a Mary Poppins Festival some may say? Maryborough, Queensland is the birthplace of author
Pamela Lyndon Travers, famous for her book
Mary Poppins. P.J. Travers was born Helen Lyndon Goff on 9th August 1899 in a small bedroom on the second floor Kent Street residence of the Australian Joint Stock Bank, where her father was Manager. After spending a few years in Maryborough, the family moved to other parts of Queensland. Helen began her career as a dancer in Sydney before relocating at the age of 25 to England seeking a literary career. The building in which she was born has been transformed into the
Story Bank Museum, where you can be taken on a journey of her life, stories and fantasies. There is an admission fee of $10 for adults, $5.00 for children and $8.00 for concession cardholders. The
Story Bank is well worth a visit and an exceptionally well thought out and presented museum.
The Story Bank Museum (Author's Photo)
While in Maryborough, visit the
Maryborough Visitor Information Centre and pick up some brochures on other interesting things to see and do. Such suggestions are the
Maryborough Mural Trail,
Parks in Maryborough,
Heritage Trail, Eateries or surrounding townships of
Tiaro,
Burrum Heads,
Toogoom,
Maaroom etc. The Information Centre will also be able to provide you with a leaflet showing all the accommodation properties available for short and long-term stays. If you have a caravan or motorhome, there are plenty of free campsites in Maryborough as well.
Murial Trail in Maryborough Queensland (Author's Photo0
The Mary Poppins Festival is an event like no other and one to be put on your bucket list to attend. It is where the whole community gets involved and it is lots of fun. Apart from any booked concerts or entry to specific museums, this event is FREE to everyone. Make the Mary Poppins Festival your stop this year. For more information, contact can be made through the Festival
website via email.
