Park keeper keeps watch over Poppins Garden

Park Keeper Fred Smith has officially taken up permanent residence in the Pocket Garden at the Story Bank in Maryborough.

The life-like statue of the park keeper, hiding a confiscated kite behind his back, is the latest addition to the Story Bank – an interactive museum featuring the stories of P.L. Travers, the author of Mary Poppins.

At the centre of the park is a fountain surrounded by mosaics of herbs, often mentioned by Travers in her Poppins books, and Fred, who is trying to keep order and enforce the by-laws such as no kite flying.

“The statue helps to bring the Mary Poppins stories to life,” Councillor Daniel Sanderson said.

“It links to the statues of Jane and Michael sliding down the banister inside the Story Bank which are also made by Jane Estelle Bailey and Mark Snell from Lavaworx Art Studio.”

“The Story Bank has been a great success; it has encouraged people to visit Maryborough, explore our history and the CBD.

“These latest additions ensure that it continues to grow and evolve so past visitors will want to come back.”

The pocket park was opened in August 2020 to mark the 120th anniversary of P.L. Travers birthday.

Officially called Mary’s Garden it was named in honour of the Proud Mary’s: the group reinvigorated the link between Maryborough and P.L. Travers which lead to the creation of the Mary Poppins Festival.

“The park is an outdoor extension of the Story Bank and delivers on Mary Poppins promise that anything can happen if you just imagine,” Cr Sanderson said.

“It is a great place to sit and reflect and let your imagination roam.”

Visitors will be able to scan a QR code to hear a special story about the garden and Fred Smith, ‘The Park Keeper Down Under’ written by fellow Maryborough author Ian Brown.

Story Bank

Council bought and restored the heritage-listed Australian Joint Stock Bank on the corner of Kent and Richmond streets in Maryborough, the birthplace of Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers to create the Story Bank which showcases the story of her life, her family, and the influences on her writings.

Visitors can interact with displays of P.L. Travers’ life and her magical Mary Poppins stories:

• View images and documents from the P.L. Travers estate;
• Delve into the Cabinet of Curiosities and the Library of Inspiration;
• Open an account and discover the art of storytelling by depositing your own creations;
• Share in stories crafted by Artisans of Story Telling in the Theatrette and Gallery, and;
• Find unique gifts and books in the retail cottage.

There is a theatrette, gallery and workshop space where visitors and storytellers can create and share their stories.

The $1.5 million restoration project was undertaken with $395,000 funding from the Queensland Government and $395,000 from the Australian Government.

The restoration project included replacing the roof, internal building works to facilitate the P.L. Travers interpretive centre and displays, installation of a lift and access ramp from Richmond Street, extension to the cafe area, and the development of workshop and meeting spaces.