Jocelyn Magazine, Barcaldine (2025)

30/10/2025

Feet Up, Heart Full 💙 | My Oceans to Outback Journey

After walking 113 kilometres and raising $1,922 in October for the RFDS Oceans to Outback Challenge, I’ve hung up my shirt, hat and sunnies, and put my feet up for a well-earned rest.

There’s still a day to go in this year’s campaign — it officially finishes tomorrow, 31 October — but after a short half-kilometre stroll to the railway station, I’ll be back on the Spirit of the Outback for the 1,000-kilometre journey home to my adopted seaside city, Hervey Bay.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who’s supported me in my inaugural challenge — whether by donating via Facebook or the website, sharing my posts, or cheering from the sidelines. Every bit of encouragement has helped to keep the Flying Doctor in the air, delivering lifesaving healthcare to Australians in remote and rural communities.

Thanks also to everyone who sent well-wishes to Mum. She was so pleased to hear from you all, and I’ve passed on every name and greeting.

This being my first O2O event, my goals were modest — walking 90 km to raise $500 — but I’ve exceeded those by 126% and 384% respectively! I’ve had so much fun connecting with people all over Australia during this journey that I’m already keen to take up the challenge again in 2026.

Whatever my final tallies are by the end of tomorrow — rounded up — will become my new targets. As it stands, that means walking 120 kilometres and raising at least $2,000 for the RFDS.

Meanwhile, there’s still time to contribute to this year’s campaign before it wraps up!

If you’re able, please help me support the Royal Flying Doctor Service to continue delivering vital health services to all Australians, no matter their postcode.

Read my story: https://tinyurl.com/ycxyb2tr
(scroll to find me)

To donate:
🌐 Website – https://tinyurl.com/r6ayc5fs

📘 Facebook – https://tinyurl.com/3rbda497

29/10/2025

Finishing Where It All Began 💙 | Oceans to Outback

Still in Barcaldine today, having shared a barbecue lunch at the hospital (where I was born) with Mum —Del Scott, 94 — who is now in permanent care here.

Many in Barcy will remember Mum from her years at the local high school, where she taught music, art, geography, and home economics. All up, she taught for around 25 years — first in 1953 (before she married Dad, Bill Scott), and then again from 1968 through to 1982.

Together, Mum and Dad were foundation members of the cultural association and historical society, helping to establish the folk museum that stands today on the corner of Beech and Gidyea streets. Before Dad passed in 2001, both were nominated for Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award. And in 2017, Mum received the Australia Day Volunteer of the Year Award.

Over the past decade, the Royal Flying Doctor Service has transported Mum multiple times from Barcaldine to Rockhampton for urgent treatment following major hip and limb fractures — times when the care she needed went beyond what’s available out here. We’re deeply grateful for the RFDS — for Mum, and for countless others across rural and remote Australia.

So my Oceans to Outback journey this year has been a walk of gratitude — from the ocean at my home in Hervey Bay, back to the red-heart roots of where I began. I’m walking for those who live far from care, and for everyone who has ever waited, hoped, or endured.

With two days to go, I’m taking gentle steps to the finish line. Whatever I complete by 31 October will help set my starting goals for next year.

A Huge Thank You 💙

To everyone who has supported, donated, encouraged, shared my posts, or simply walked beside me in spirit — thank you. Your kindness keeps the Flying Doctor flying — and that matters more than words can say.

If you’re able, please support my fundraising efforts to help the RFDS continue to deliver vital health services to all Australians, no matter their postcode.

Read my story:
https://tinyurl.com/ycxyb2tr (scroll to find me)

To donate:
Website – https://tinyurl.com/r6ayc5fs
Facebook – https://tinyurl.com/3rbda497

28/10/2025

Small World, Big Cause! 💙

Guess who I ran into (not literally!) while chalking up another 7.4km this morning — taking me past the 100km mark for October?

Jean Lightbody (pictured left), an RFDS psychologist, was in Barcy on a three-day visit covering her patch. I was about 150 metres from my Barcy base camp when I spotted the RFDS car and stopped to say hello — talk about perfect timing!

My total now sits at 101km — that’s 11km beyond my original target — with $1,142 raised so far (more than double my goal), thanks to the amazing generosity of 22 donors across my website and Facebook. The average donation is $52, with the largest a wonderful $272.

A huge thank you to everyone who’s supported me along the way — every kind word, donation, and bit of encouragement has meant the world. 💙

I’ll keep stepping it out until the campaign wraps up on 31 October. Whatever I finish on will become my starting targets for next year.

Please support my fundraising efforts today to help the Royal Flying Doctor Service keep delivering better health outcomes for all Australians, no matter where they live.

💙 Read my story:
https://tinyurl.com/ycxyb2tr
(scroll to find me)

💙 To donate:
Website – https://tinyurl.com/r6ayc5fs

Facebook – https://tinyurl.com/3rbda497

27/10/2025

Barcaldine in Bloom 🌸

One of my favourite memories of growing up in Barcaldine (pronounced BAR-CALL-DIN) is the burst of colour that comes with spring — the poinciana trees glowing red around Christmas, and the cascades of bougainvillea that frame fences, houses, and even the town hall during high school formals and debutante balls.

Barcy, as the locals call it, has long been known as the Garden City of the West — or Oasis of the West — thanks to its incredible water supply from the Great Artesian Basin. Even though it’s late October and the spring blooms are starting to fade, there’s still plenty of colour around town.

During my 3 km walk along Oak Street — Barcy’s main drag — to visit Mum at the hospital and clock up extra kms for the RFDS Oceans to Outback challenge this morning, I spotted everything from poinciana and bougainvillea to frangipani, desert rose, hibiscus, wattle, bottlebrush, acacia, hippeastrum, and more. There was even a cheeky brolga sculpture in the hospital gardens!

What a beautiful reminder of how life flourishes out here in the west. 🌺

Click here to learn more about the RFDS Oceans to Outback Challenge and how you can support the campaign:
🔗 https://www.oceanstooutback.org.au/fundraisers/jocelynwatts

26/10/2025

🌏 FROM OCEANS TO OUTBACK – WHAT A JOURNEY!

Just wrapped up my Oceans to Outback challenge — 90km walked, $1,117 raised, and one very full heart. 💙

From the ocean breezes of Hervey Bay to the red dust of Barcaldine, this journey has been all about purpose, connection, and balance — the same values that inspire everything at Jocelyn Magazine. ✨

October has been an incredible month — joining people across Australia to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and being part of such an inspiring community.

Now, I've three major milestones:
1️⃣ Arrived in Barcaldine, my hometown, for the final leg of my fundraising effort.
2️⃣ Reached my 90km target, with the last 6km spent walking to visit Mum (94!) at the hospital and back to the house I grew up in — twice!
3️⃣ Absolutely smashed my fundraising goal of $500, reaching an amazing $1,117 — that’s 223% of target! 🎉

Getting to Barcaldine, true to the Oceans to Outback theme, was no small feat. Travelling from my adopted home in Hervey Bay to my birthplace meant covering roughly 1,000km on the Spirit of the Outback — until a heatwave struck.

When outback temps climb past 45°C, railway lines buckle and twist, forming what’s dramatically known as “sun kinks.” So, at Emerald, the train gave way to a bus. Not ideal, but very outback!

A huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone who’s sponsored me — your generosity has been incredible. I couldn’t have reached (or doubled!) my goal without your support. 💙

While I’m in Barcaldine, I’ll keep clocking my steps. Whatever the tallies are on 31 October will become my starting targets for next year.

So proud to be walking for the Royal Flying Doctor Service — a truly amazing organisation keeping Australians connected to healthcare, no matter how remote. 💙

Photos include fellow travellers John and Stella, returning to Ilfracombe to reunite with their caravan, and the wonderful Claire, one of the Spirit’s catering crew I’ve met on previous trips — true champions of the rail.

23/10/2025

Hey friends, quick one!

I’m walking 90km to support the Flying Doctor and would love your help. Donate to my Oceans to Outback challenge before 11AM AEDT tomorrow (Friday 24 October) and you’ll go in the draw to win a $1,000 VISA Gift Card. Your donation will help deliver life-saving care to communities that need it, will help me get closer to my goal, AND you could score a $1K shopping spree. A pretty good deal!

Donate now and put yourself in the draw: https://www.oceanstooutback.org.au/fundraisers/jocelynwatts

Thanks so much, and if you win… you’re shouting coffee.

23/10/2025

Eight Days and 10km to Go! 🚶‍♀️💙

Took a short break yesterday, then hit the pavement again bright and early this morning — and I’ve now clocked up 80km! That leaves just 10km to go before I hit my 90km target, with a whole eight days to spare.

This morning I enjoyed peaceful vibes around Ululah Lagoon in Maryborough, joined by my photographer son and his sidekick, Willow the German Shepherd, who’s fast becoming a local celebrity. She knows every dog on that track and insists on stopping for all her adoring fans. 🐾

Having raised over $800, I’ve officially reached “Specialist” status in the RFDS Oceans to Outback Challenge — and there’s even a medal winging its way to me as we speak. 🎖️

Even though I’ve almost hit my walking goal (and smashed the fundraising one), I’ll keep stepping it out until the end of October. Whatever I finish on will set my targets for next year — because every dollar raised helps keep this vital service in the air. ✈️

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) provides everything from immunisations and health checkups to managing chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease — essential care that’s hard to access in outback Australia, where small, spread-out communities often miss out.

Please support my fundraising efforts today to help the RFDS keep delivering better health outcomes for all Australians, no matter where they live.

💙 Read my story:
https://tinyurl.com/ycxyb2tr
(scroll to find me)

💙 To donate:
Website – https://tinyurl.com/r6ayc5fs

Facebook – https://tinyurl.com/3rbda497

20/10/2025

Finishing Strong for the RFDS – 11 Days to Go!!

There are so many worthy charities to support, so why did I choose the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS)?

Growing up in outback Queensland, the Flying Doctor was part of life. For those living and travelling in remote areas, the nearest hospital can be hours away — and when health emergencies strike, the RFDS is often the only lifeline.

My connection runs deep. My dad passed away in Barcaldine Hospital in 2001, just before the Flying Doctor could reach him. Mum, now 94, has since needed several air transfers for fracture treatments. And after losing my husband, Don, to su***de in 2013, I know how vital their mental health services are too.

This year, I’m walking 90km from my base in Hervey Bay to give back. Every dollar raised helps keep this vital service in the air. 💙

📸 Photo: Lagoon Creek, Barcaldine, 2016.

👉 Read my story on the RFDS Oceans to Outback Story Wall:
https://www.oceanstooutback.org.au/story-wall

To donate, visit:
https://www.oceanstooutback.org.au/fundraisers/jocelynwatts

19/10/2025

Best daily tally yet!

Yay! I’ve clocked my best daily tally yet — 9.1km — bringing me to 61km of my 90km Oceans to Outback Challenge for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). I’m on track to hit my goal a week early!

Walking along the Point Vernon foreshore today reminded me that work–life balance isn’t just about slowing down — it’s about finding purpose in motion. Each step connects me with both the calm of the coast and the cause I care deeply about — helping keep the Flying Doctor flying.

Mental health is vital for everyone, and access to care in rural Australia can be tough. The RFDS bridges that gap, delivering expert mental health support where it’s needed most.

I’ve already passed my fundraising goal of $500, now sitting at $696 — thank you to everyone who’s chipped in! Let’s see if we can nudge that closer to $800 by the finish line. 💙

👉 Donate or follow my journey: https://tinyurl.com/r6ayc5fs

12/10/2025

Back at Pt Vernon, Hervey Bay!

After three epic days trekking across K’gari (Fraser Island) — and, yes, often forgetting to turn my watch on (classic doh moments!) — I’m back in the Bay, pacing along the Pt Vernon foreshore. My soundtrack? Legends like Bryan Adams, Bruce “the Boss” Springsteen, Neil Diamond, Simon & Garfunkel, and a few more sing-along favourites. 🎶

When I set my fundraising target for this challenge — my first go at it — I played it modestly with $500. Well, I’m thrilled to say I’ve already smashed that goal, raising a combined total of $676 between the website and Facebook! That’s 135% of my target — and I’m tracking well too, with 33km down of my 90km goal.

Huge thanks to everyone who’s already donated — your support means the world! There are still 19 days to go until October 31, so there’s plenty of time to keep the momentum rolling.

For details on how to donate, visit https://www.oceanstooutback.org.au/fundraisers/jocelynwatts

06/10/2025

Slow Down by the Sea 🌴

Sometimes all you need is a balcony, a sea breeze, and nowhere else to be. From our recent waterfront stay at Seaspray Yeppoon, the view stretched from bright blue afternoons to glittering nights — pure coastal calm. Even the coconut palms outside seemed to whisper, relax, it’s your time now. At Jocelyn Magazine, we’re big believers in taking time to recharge and find balance in the everyday.

✨ Where’s your favourite spot to slow down and breathe? Share it in the comments — we're always on the lookout for new getaway ideas.

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