A couple aiming to save a historic Corowa building is worried it could disappear if something drastic isn't done immediately.
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Castlemaine couple Ian and Marilyn Braybrook have been advocating to save Corowa's 19th century magnanerie building, built to farm silkworms, for more than two decades and fear it is now "left to the people" to raise the $100,000 needed to repair the building.
"This is no ordinary building," Mr Braybrook said.
"We believe it to be the only one of its design and type in the world.
"It is distressing to see it disintegrating.
"It is a unique structure, designed and built by a French expert in the silk industry brought to Corowa by Sarah Neill in 1877.
"Its rammed earth walls are 750 millimetres thick and the roof structure is absolutely incredible.
"There is none other like it."
Mr Braybrook said the "tragedy" is that they are watching "helplessly as the building collapses".
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"When Marilyn and I first identified the magnanerie 26 years ago it was in very good condition," he said.
"Since then attacks of white ants, a falling tree and strong winds have wreaked havoc.
"In the past six months a large section of the roof has collapsed and the rest is almost certain to follow.
"Only prompt action can save it."
Ian and Marilyn have written a book about the building and its builder titled Sarah's Search- A Silk Odyssey, which describes the effort to establish a silk industry in Australia.
The building, which was originally surrounded by over thirty thousand Mulberry trees, is all that remains of Ms Neill's work.
"There is no trace of the trees today," Mr Braybrook said.
The owner of the building, Dyonne Rhodes, is equally concerned for the building's future and has done all she can to stop the disintegrating process.
But she is not in a position to fund the major work required.
The Federation Shire Council, in collaboration with their heritage adviser Peter Kabaila, have assisted with minor repairs, but the Braybrooks said more needs to be done.
"The council has also moved to have the building listed on the Local Environment Plan to clear the way for possible eventual Heritage Listing and funding," Mr Braybrook said.
"However those wheels are slow in turning - meanwhile the building is facing ruin. It will be very sad if it collapses.
"$100,000 is all that is needed to save the magnanerie, a small amount in the overall scheme of things.
"Maybe it's left to the people, people everywhere, to save this wonderful piece of history."