A life-sized statue of Mary Poppins has been unveiled in Bowral in NSW’s Southern Highlands, the one-time home of author PL Travers who created the popular children’s book and film character.

The statue was unveiled on Sunday by local children, NSW Governor Marie Bashir and federal parliamentary secretary for industry Bob Baldwin.

It is hoped it will prove a major draw for international tourists.

Mr Baldwin said the federal government had awarded a $26,000 grant to the Southern Highlands Youth Arts Council to help fund the statue.

PL Travers lived in Bowral between 1907 and 1917 and the statue aims to capture her original vision of Mary Poppins.

To create the statue, the local community commissioned Australian artist Tanya Bartlett, who moulded the life-sized statue of cricketer Sir Donald Bradman in Bowral.