Entertainment
25 June, 2026
New book sheds light on war history
TABLELANDS romance author Frances Dall’Alba has just released her 10th book which completes her latest four-part series, The Sway of The Stars.
Entitled The Priceless Star, Ms Dall’Alba said this final book in the series – of four friends and four romances – was more than just a romance, and included “an insight into what the Tablelands was like during the hectic war years”.
“The backbone of this story is the incredible artwork commissioned in 1945 (during the war) called Windows 45,” she said.
“Made to resemble glass stained windows, positioned in a small chapel purposely built in the then township of Barrine (now mostly under Tinaroo Dam waters), this imitation artwork became a spiritual beacon for the many army personnel who found themselves on the Tablelands during this time.
“When it was time to move troops, (the artwork) was packed and transported to Indonesia where another church was purposely built, and where it remained until the end of the war.”
Ms Dall’Alba said she had been fascinated by the artwork’s impact on the region and kept in regular contact with the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where Windows 45 was now kept.
She felt that perhaps her “unshakeable persistence” in wanting to see the artwork, might have prompted the curator of the Military, Heraldry & Technology department at the War Memorial to promise her that with new galleries opening, the priceless piece of artwork would finally come on display.
“Fingers crossed it happens so I can finally travel to Canberra and view this piece of artwork,” she said. “I have been promised I will be the first to know.”
In the meantime, her new book, and her other publications, will be exhibited and on sale at in the Big Pub dining hall during the Malanda Show. The book is available in paperback (Tableland Books, Blue Summit in Yungaburra) or direct from the author by going to www.francesdallalba.wixsite.com/francesdallalba
