Mary Inc.

06/08/2026

14/07/2026

Young writers across the Fraser Coast are invited to dive deep into their imagination and enter the 2026 Mary Poppins Literary Competition under the theme "Timeless Travellers". Open to budding authors who live or attend school on the Fraser Coast from Year 3 to 12, this competition offers $2000 in prize money - the richest purse in Australia for young writers. Scan the QR code and get those creative juices flowing. Entries close August 31. The Mary Inc. runs the annual Mary Poppins Literary Competition with generous support from the Cherry Tree Foundation in London.🌂🍒

05/07/2026

The Mary Poppins Festival was treated to a special early release of the latest biography of Pamela L. Travers on the weekend when author Elisabeth Galvin showcased "The Unknown Story of P.L. Travers" - the creator of the world's most famous nanny. Elisabeth was delighted to be part of Mary Inc's stall at the festival. She will be back on October 17 when Mayor George Seymour will launch her biography at the Mary Poppins Literary Celebration where winners of the 2026 Mary Poppins Literary Competition will be announced. 📚

05/07/2026

Celebrations all round as Maryborough set a new Guinness Book record for the most number of people decked out as a Poppins character at the weekend's Mary Poppins Festival.
As Mary once said: "In every job that must be done there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - snap - the job's a game!"
There was fun aplenty as Poppins enthusiasts paraded through the centuries old streets which were once the home of Poppins' creator Pamela L. Travers. 🌂

30/06/2026

Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell had a whirlwind visit to Maryborough this afternoon that started with a fun-filled visit to the Cistern Chapel.
Taken through the Chapel by two of its champions, Carmel Murdoch and Nan Ott, he said he had mentioned to his mother that his was coming to Maryborough and she said he “absolutely had to visit the city’s toilets”.
On a more sombre note, Mary Inc. raised the problem of lack of signage and promotion for Maryborough and its tourism wares – including the best military museum outside of Canberra, the Story Bank and Mary Poppins promotions, the Gallipoli to Armistice Anzac walk, the famous bell tower, the Mary Ann steam loco, the heritage streetscape and much more.
Epitomising the need to encourage more building restoration, business and inner-city living activity in the heritage centre was Michelle Warren, who has bought the former Queen’s Hotel and is renovating it ahead of moving her popular Holabox business there later this year.
Michelle is shown on the town hall green with Maryborough MP John Barounis and Mr Powell (right) just before inspecting the Queen’s, shown in the background.
A few hours earlier John and Queensland Premier David Crisafulli were on the town hall green to announce that new move-on laws to counter anti-social behaviour would be trialled in Maryborough as from tomorrow.
Mr Crusafulli said other Queensland centres were also experiencing difficulties with people who had “deleted their rights” with abusive behaviour but Maryborough’s community and John Barounis had made the loudest demands for the problem to be addressed.

29/06/2026

Looking for a fun and interesting activity over the school holidays? Mary Poppins Literary Competition is just what you need. All budding young writers who attend school or live on the Fraser Coast can let their creative juices flow and start writing now for the richest writing prize in Australia for up-and-coming poets and storytellers. Timeless Travellers is the theme which can be interpreted however you wish. Pop into Mary Inc's stall at Sunday's wonderful Mary Poppins Festival to learn more. 🌂📚

25/06/2026

☂️✨ Be part of the magic at the Mary Poppins Festival Grand Parade & Finale Sing-Along! ✨☂️

One of the festival's most beloved traditions is back, and everyone is invited to join in the fun!

Dress up as your favourite Mary Poppins character, bring along your umbrella, or simply come ready to sing, dance and celebrate. 🎶

📍 Parade marshalling: 2:00pm at the top of Wharf Street
🕒 Parade starts: 2:15pm – no registration needed! 😍

Follow the parade through the festival precinct as it makes its way to the Rotunda Stage at 2:45pm for a magical finale sing-along 🎶

Whether you're a lifelong Mary Poppins fan or experiencing the festival for the first time, this is one moment you won't want to miss!

EVENT DETAILS:

📅 Sunday 5 July 2026
🕘 9am-3pm
📍 Portside Precinct and Queens Park, Maryborough
💲 FREE ENTRY

🌐 https://www.marypoppinsfestival.com.au/

22/06/2026

Maryborough lawyer John Willett will be at the helm of Mary Inc. in the coming year as the community organisation continues to drive projects aimed at revitalising the historic inner city.
He takes over from Jacqui Elson-Green. With an MI mantra that aims to minimise time demands on members we have put them together with AI for this image beside the city landmark industrial sculpture created in Ellena Street by Susie Hansen.
John is well known for his passion for Maryborough’s picturesque heritage heart, writing stories about the city’s colourful history and promoting the restoration of buildings. His office is the restored building in Wharf Street where a plaque denotes it Palmer’s Store, the first brick building in Maryborough.
Along with vice-president Nancy Bates he has also been involved in moves to restore safety to the city heart after an outbreak of anti-social behaviour.
He told Mary Inc.’s annual meeting there appeared to be fewer problems in the last few weeks but said the community would not tolerate its city’s streets being made unsafe by persons using the housing shortages as an excuse.
“This is a problem experienced elsewhere but not every city has the benefit of such a strong community focus and I believe our strong voice has led to the action we are now seeing.”
Jacqui Elson-Green, who has led Mary Inc. for five years, said she was delighted to have John take over as the new president. “His passion for the city is well known.” Jacqui will continue projects to harness Maryborough’s literacy, learning and Mary Poppins legacy, including the annual children’s writing competition, the richest in Australia.
Other projects Mary Inc. is driving or supporting include better tourism signage, an art trail including restoration of the Wook-Koo Walk, caring for the Cistern Chapel and more than 90 Flusher Ushers, pushing for completion of the Mary to Bay Rail Trail, restyling the green space opposite the City Hall, contributing feedback on the town plan review that argues for a “review of the review” that is deemed unsatisfactory.
Launch of a website is also pending.
Mary Inc.’s management committee under John Willett includes Nancy Bates (vice-president), Jenelle Harrington (secretary), Lisa Hunt (treasurer), Nan Ott (membership and procurement), Carmel Murdoch (Cistern Chapel),Jacqui Elson-Green (literary competition and Mary Poppins), Greig Bolderrow (tourism), Julie Bushnell (Mary Poppins), Brian Kelleher (literary), and Meredith Cox (art trail).