The harsh summer temperatures and the isolated rural environment(of the 1890's) provided the inventor of the "Coolgardie safe" (Arthur Patrick McCormick) with an idea to cool perishable foods by using water soaked "hessian" cloth to provide the "coolant" for the evaporation process to cool the inside temperature of the "safe". Items such as meat,cream/milk/butter and cool "drinks" are a few perishables that need cool environments , especially in isolated "ice free" locations. Cities during this time period had large "ice works" which delivered block ice to all areas that required a form of refrigeration. These ice blocks where held in early refrigerators to keep perishables cool to cold. This "Coolardie" safe was the next best thing for isolated rural households and travellers/campers/stockmen to provide a cooler environment for foodstuff affected by heat. Ice filled "esky" coolers and ice boxes are a modern day off shoot to the original Coogardie safe however they still rely on ice or frozen coolant bricks for cooling.This "Coogardie" safe is very significant to the Kiewa Valley and the Bogong High Plains because it represents not only the initiative thinking of the early settlers and communities but also the "primitive" solution to an everyday (1800s to 1930s) problem (before gas and electric run refrigerators) of keeping "perishables" at a low temperature and thereby prolonging their "shelf" life. This was before electricity and gas was available to the inhabitants of the Kiewa Valley and Bogong High Plains. Another cooling method for food was to have "water tight" containers dipped into the very cold streams running from the "cooler" alpine mountains and the Bogong High Plains. This however could not be carried out in all situations eg. fast flowing currents and locations away from streams. This "Coolgardie safe" is made from a medium grade steel enclosure and its appearance is of a perforated box with a wire handle and one side (long side) being a hinged "door" with a clasp securing "lock". There are air holes grouped into a small "boxed" pattern. Each "box" is divided by a crossed pattern, dividing the "holed" sections(4) into a diamond configuration of 49 small holes each. There are four sides (long) which have the perforations except for the base which does not. The base has an indentation with a loose "catch" tray to catch water spills. When in use the "box" is covered with a water "soaked" cloth. The wet cloth is used as "coolant" ie. fibers in the cloth hold the water droplets seep out evaporating the area and thereby (in mass) cooling the air inside the container.domestic refrigeration cabinets, coolgardie "safe", insect and vermin proof food containers, electric and gas free cold storage containers

McCormick-Deering ModelM, 1 /2 hp900rpm Water cooled

Twin Cylinder water cooled 2 stroke outboard motorModel 550, Serial No. 33540800outboard motor

B/W strip photo of Blue Moon Cool Stores, Blackburn.blue moon fruit co-operative ltd., blackburn

B/w strip photo of Blue Moon Cool Stores, Blackburn.blue moon fruit co-operative ltd., blackburn

B/W strip photo of Blue Moon Cool Stores, Blackburn.blue moon fruit co-operative ltd, coolstores, blackburn

B/W strip photo of Blue Moon Cool Stores, Blackburnblue moon fruit co-operative ltd, cool stores, blackburn

B/W strip photo of Blue Moon Cool Stores, Blackburn.blue moon fruit co-operative ltd, cool stores

B/W strip photo of Blue Moon Cool Stores, Blackburn.blue moon fruit co-operative ltd, coolstores, blackburn

Found at POW Camp 13 Murchison.White enamel mug with flip top lid to keep beverage hot or cool.enamel mug, camp 13, beverage holders, pow camps victoria, harold newton

Coloured photo of demolition of cool stores on Livermore's Orchard, Morack Road, Vermontlivermores orchard, morack road, vermont south, livermore, clem, orchards

Coloured photo of demolition of cool stores on Livermore's Orchard, Morack Road, Vermontlivermore, clem, orchards, livermores orchard, morack road, vermont south

Coloured photo of demolition of cool stores on Livermore's Orchard, Morack Road, Vermontlivermore, clem, orchards, morack road, vermont south, livermores orchard

Coloured photo of demolition of cool stores on Livermore's Orchard, Morack Road, Vermontlivermores orchard, morack road, vermont south, livermore, clem, orchards

Coloured photo of demolition of cool stores on Livermore's Orchard, Morack Road, Vermontlivermores orchard, morack road, vermont south, livermore, clem, orchards

Coloured photo of demolition of cool stores on Livermore's Orchard, Morack Road, Vermontlivermores orchard, morack road, vermont south, livermore, clem, orchards

Coloured photo of demolition of cool stores on Livermore's Orchard, Morack Road, Vermontlivermores orchard, morack road, vermont south, livermore, clem, orchards

Coloured photo of demolition of cool stores on Livermore's Orchard, Morack Road, Vermontlivermores orchard, morack road, vermont south, livermore, clem, orchards

Coloured photo of demolition of cool stores on Livermore's Orchard, Morack Road, Vermontlivermores orchard, morack road, vermont south, livermore, clem, orchards

Coloured photo of demolition of cool stores on Livermore's Orchard, Morack Road, Vermontlivermores orchard, livermore, clem, morack road, vermont south, orchards

Coloured photo of demolition of cool stores on Livermore's Orchard, Morack Road, Vermontlivermores orchard, morack road, vermont south, livermore, clem, orchards

Coloured photo of demolition of cool stores on Livermore's Orchard, Morack Road, Vermontorchards, livermore, clem, livermores orchard, morack road, vermont

B/W strip photo of Railway and Blackburn Roads and entrance to Cool Stores.blackburn, railway road