Bats and wine feature in OUTBACK magazine

writeline
Oct 2
2 min read

Updated: Oct 3

I'm feeling batty - in a good way - about the October-November 2025 R.M.Williams OUTBACK magazine!

Not only is the iconic national magazine loaded (as always) with great stories and images about rural, remote and regional Australia, I'm rapt to have my third feature story published in this edition.

Vintage allies published in this issue's 'Nature' section explores the Bats and Wine project by University of New England (UNE), including groundbreaking research at Fowles Wine in Victoria's granite-rich Strathbogie Ranges.

One of the photos not used in OUTBACK magazine. Image: Colin Page, courtesy Fowles Wine — One of the photos not used in OUTBACK magazine. **Image:** Colin Page, courtesy Fowles Wine

Bats and Wine research

For this article, I had the privilege of interviewing vineyard owner Matt Fowles and bat researcher Dr Heidi Kolkert to explore how the UNE Bats and Wine project is shaping the future of sustainable winemaking. This fascinating project also champions the need to help threatened and endangered species of tiny, insect-eating bats with habitat.

Matt and Heidi's insights and reverence of insectivorous bats made this article a joy to research and write, and as they are busy people, I am grateful for the generosity of their time.

Extra photo of Dr Heidi Kolkert during the field study. Image: Colin Page, courtesy of Fowles Wine. — Extra photo of Dr Heidi Kolkert during the field study. **Image:** Colin Page, courtesy of Fowles Wine.

UNE researchers Dr Zenon Czenze and Dr Heidi Knowles (left and third left) with Matt Fowles and Glenn Chisolm. Image: Colin Page, courtesy Fowles Wine — UNE researchers Dr Zenon Czenze and Dr Heidi Knowles (left and third left) with Matt Fowles and Glenn Chisolm. **Image:** Colin Page, courtesy Fowles Wine

My 'paddock-to-plate' moment

When I dropped in to my local newsagent in Shepparton this week, OUTBACK issue #163 was being slotted into magazine stands: a writer's 'paddock-to-plate' moment. That is, from keyboard to newsagent, minus the alliteration!

Behind the scenes

I'm also rapt to be featured in the 'Behind the Scenes' section about contributors on OUTBACK's masthead page, which makes this 164-page edition extra special for me.

Writer at work: Corinna Boldiston proudly contributes to OUTBACK magazine.

Thank you to OUTBACK magazine's editor and team for another opportunity to write for the publication, and also to Fowles Wine and University of New England for sharing their story.

To read my full feature story and more great Australian articles pick up a copy of Oct/Nov 2025 OUTBACK magazine, available online and in newsagents. You can also read an excerpt of my article on the magazine's website: Vintage allies - Outback Magazine : R.M. Williams