Maryborough

This is a story about Mary.

In Queensland’s Wide Bay region lies a historic city called Maryborough. The area was called Moonaboola by the First Nations people. The town was settled by Europeans in the mid 1800’s, and was even considered for being the capital of Queensland! It would have been a bustling town in its beginning- manufacturing trains, building ships and receiving immigrants from the other side of the world. In 1848, the Governor at the time, Charles Fitzroy, named the river after his beloved wife, Lady Mary. He also instructed the booming town to be named Maryborough. Lady Mary was the daughter of the Duke of Richmond. She and Captain Charles Fitzroy married and his career saw them travel the world before arriving in Australia in 1846. They had four children; three sons and one daughter (named Mary).

Maryborough is also put on the map by being the birthplace of the author of Mary Poppins. The genius behind the iconic nanny, P. L. Travers (born Helen Lyndon Goff) was born in an upstairs bedroom of the Australian Joint Stock Bank in 1899. The building is now a Mary Poppins museum called The Story Bank. Her father was bank manager for a few years while she was little. Her story is brought to life in the film Saving Mr Banks. Just make sure you have some tissues handy! The museum is just gorgeous; full of wonder and whimsy. One of the lovely ladies there gave us an introduction of what to expect inside. She said it’s an interactive museum- read things, touch things (there was sanitiser everywhere). “If the phone rings, answer it!” she laughed. With that invitation, I was itching to get through the door, like an excited child in Mary Poppin’s world.

*The quilt is a gorgeous collage of mementos relating to Travers’ life*

With your imagination well and truly fired up, one feels like a creative release. A room upstairs has word-searches, colouring ins and a large board with dozens of words and lots of colourful, intertwining wool. P. L. Travers once told a friend that the people and the objects of her life were like a spindle around which she wove the threads of her imagination. The activity invites guests to choose one of the coloured threads and connect the words that illustrate the story of your life. It was so much fun reading the words and winding my pink thread around the words that meant something to me. It took me ten tries to get my wool to wrap around the ‘Animals’ nail. It’s a popular one!

*Get a picture with Mary Poppins herself, outside The Story Bank museum*

The staff at Story Bank were so friendly. Make sure you pop in the next time the wind changes and you find yourself in Maryborough.

After The Story Bank, we took a drive around town, and stumbled upon Point Lookout- the spot where someone kept watch to signal the arrival of supply ships. The lookout was used between 1843-1856.

We then made our way back to Queens Park and had a wander. It’s a lovely pocket - within walking distance from the park are four heritage buildings: The Story Bank, Heritage Centre, Court House and Customs House. I read every plaque and took a million pictures! We were there on a Thursday, when the bell rings out over town. There is something so wonderful about hearing a town bell chime when you aren’t expecting it!

The original residence at Customs House was built in 1899, and is now Portside, a vibrant cafe and restaurant. Time didn’t permit us to enjoy a meal there, but the music and atmosphere that was drifting onto the street was hard to pass up!

*Customs House is a striking building with its locally made red-faced brick*

Queens Park has a model railway system made by the Model Engineers and Live Steamers Association. If you are in town on the last Sunday of the month, stop by to experience the mini steam trains whistling along and Maryborough’s Brass Band playing in the 1890 rotunda.

This Banyan Fig is thought to be planted in the late 1800’s, and is one of the largest of its kind in Australia! Next to the giant tree are musical instruments that can be played by passersby. The delightful sounds ring throughout the park for everyone to enjoy.

The Heritage Centre is a treasure trove of information. Downstairs is the Maryborough Family Heritage Institute, which has one of the largest collections of genealogy records. These include immigration details, and cemetery and burial records for a number of Queensland regions.

Located upstairs is the Maryborough District Family History Society, which has more information for the avid genealogist, with a large volume of records, historical books, articles and photographs. What are you waiting for? Dive in!

*The Heritage Centre, where they have immigration records and genealogy clues to help you discover your Queensland ancestors*

Brennan and Geraghty’s Store Museum is a historical grocery store that was operated by one family between 1871 to 1972. That’s over 100 years in one family! The store shut its doors in the 1970’s and was obtained by the National Trust of Queensland for future generations to enjoy. I wish grocery stores were still so quaint and adorable.

I have personal connections to Maryborough too. My lovely great grandmother Winifred (not Mrs Banks) moved to Maryborough while pregnant with her first child in 1931. Winnie went up to Maryborough from Beenleigh, although newly married and pregnant, to support her father. She worked in a hotel or pub, so I guess that does make her like Mrs Banks. Strong women! My great grandfather sent money to her weekly, but she never received it. After a while, it was discovered that her step mother had been steaming open the envelopes and taking the money before Winnie got her hands on the letter! Once my great grandfather heard about this, he said ‘that’s it, you’re coming home!’ But before she made the journey, her first baby girl was born in Maryborough.

I was also reminded recently that my grandparents met in Maryborough. I never realised how much Maryborough is part of the tapestry of my heritage! It is a lovely city, and I am proud to have connections to it. I’m looking forward to going back to The Heritage Centre when it’s open and seeing what else I can discover about Maryborough and my family.

Kate x

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