WITH Mary Poppins Returns now on cinema screens around the country, something magical is stirring in Maryborough – the birthplace of author P.L. Travers whose imagination hatched the world-famous nanny.
An interactive interpretive centre, in the beautiful historic building where P.L. Travers was born, is nearing completion in the central business district of Maryborough, three hours' drive north of Brisbane.
The new attraction will be called The Story Bank, honouring the heritage-listed building's original purpose as the Australian Joint Stock Bank and its new role in housing the community's stories.
Visitors will be able to discover the magic of Mary Poppins through displays, activities and exhibitions.
The heritage city already commemorates its link to the renowned storyteller through a bronze statue of Mary Poppins, unique pedestrian lights featuring red and green silhouettes of the nanny and a nine-day Mary Poppins Festival each year in June-July.
Mary Poppins Returns is a sequel set 20 years after the original movie and takes storylines from P.L. Travers' collection of books focussing on the nanny's continued adventures with the Banks family.
Maryborough is expecting the movie will rekindle interest in all things Mary Poppins and is hoping for a bumper crowd at the 2019 Mary Poppins Festival.
The Story Bank will be open ahead of the festival, which starts on June 28 and culminates with A Day in the Park celebration on July 6.
