Ian Braybrook said the magnanerie, built by Sarah Florentia Bladen Neill for the farming of silkworms in 1877, had been damaged by white ants and a fallen tree.

“If it’s not fixed up within a short period of time, the whole roof will collapse probably and the whole thing will be just a mess,” Mr Braybrook said. 

“It’s a unique building; we haven’t been able to find any similar buildings or evidence of any similar buildings in Australia and possibly in the world even. It’s an important part of Australia’s history, not just Corowa.”

Mr Braybrook and his wife Marilyn Bennet launched their book Sarah’s Search – A Silk Odyssey in Corowa this week.

Federation Council administrator Mike Eden said the council was aware of the silkworm farm magnanerie.

“Council’s heritage adviser is currently in the process of conducting a heritage survey and heritage review,” Mr Eden said.

“The silkworm farm building has been identified as a building of local heritage significance and possibly state heritage significance as well.”