Australian towns at war over legacy of Mary Poppins author
Two Australian towns have become engaged in a fierce war of words over which can lay the bigger claim to the legacy of Mary Poppins creator Pamela Travers.
Maryborough, on the south east coast of Queensland, Australia, has been hosting a Mary Poppins festival for several years in honour of Travers, who was born in the town in 1899.
The five-day event draws tourists to the region during the quiet winter months to enjoy Poppins-themed activities such as nanny races, umbrella-decorating and kite-making.
But this year festival organisers have been angered by plans for a New South Wales town to hold a rival event.
Picturesque Bowral in the southern Highlands outside Sydney is planning to hold a Mary Poppins Birthplace Centenary Celebration at the end of July. Travers moved to the town with her family in 1907 after the death of her father and organisers of the event claim that she devised the character of the beloved British nanny while she was living there....
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Maryborough, on the south east coast of Queensland, Australia, has been hosting a Mary Poppins festival for several years in honour of Travers, who was born in the town in 1899.
The five-day event draws tourists to the region during the quiet winter months to enjoy Poppins-themed activities such as nanny races, umbrella-decorating and kite-making.
But this year festival organisers have been angered by plans for a New South Wales town to hold a rival event.
Picturesque Bowral in the southern Highlands outside Sydney is planning to hold a Mary Poppins Birthplace Centenary Celebration at the end of July. Travers moved to the town with her family in 1907 after the death of her father and organisers of the event claim that she devised the character of the beloved British nanny while she was living there....