Coolgardie safes were invented in the 1890s by Patrick McCormick in the Western Australian town of Coolgardie. Coolgardie safes were usually placed in a draughty areas, often under verandas. The hessian was placed in the water and draped around the sides and the draft cooled the contents of the safe. The legs could be stood in another tray of water to deter ants. This safe was bought at an auction at Orford by Laurie Gunnulson.Coolgardie safe has a box-shaped frame with wire mesh on the sides for air circulation. A four-legged tray for water is at the bottom. A piece of hessian hangs on one side (for demonstration purposes). The safe opens by a hinged door with a wire handle and there is a maker's name on the front. Inside it has a shelf in the middle. The safe is painted with Silvafros.Simpsonallansford, food storage, simpson, coolgardie safes, food safes, orford

This program belonged to Dr James Kerr. Conceived by Engineer-in-Chief C.Y. O’Connor and completed in 1903, the Coolgardie Goldfields Water Supply Scheme comprised a reservoir on the Helena River, eight steam-driven pumping stations and 566 kilometres of steel pipeline supplying 23,000 kilolitres of water daily to the arid goldfields of Western Australia. The project was officially opened by Sir John and Lady Forrest in January 1903. "Great pomp and ceremony heralded the arrival of water and the opening of the Scheme. Clean, fresh water could now be easily obtained in some of Australia's harshest country. However, this victory came at a great cost. The stress of the bold project was too much for O’Connor, who, after enduring endless criticism, took his life on 10 March 1902, before the Scheme was completed." - Western Australian Museum : The Coolgardie Goldfields Water Supply Scheme was an ambitious engineering feat because at the time water had never been lifted so high nor pumped so far (about 560 km). The Scheme, which pumps water from the better-watered coastal area, operates to this day. This item is associated with an historic event in the history of opening up arid areas of Australia to settlement. The item is associated with Dr James Kerr, the first doctor to settle in Orbost.A souvenir program from the opening of the works of the Coolgardie Water Supply. It has a maroon cover with gold print. Details include the date and place.coolgardie-water-supply western-australia-goldfields

Buildings - Tents Associated with - Coolgardie Water Pipeline

People - "Ellis, Florence Sarah" Buildings - Hut Associated with - Coolgardie Water Pipeline

People - "Ellis, Florence Sarah; Ellis Godfrey William" Buildings - Hut Associated with - Coolgardie Water Pipeline

People - "Ellis, Florence Sarah; Ellis Godfrey William" Buildings - Hut Associated with - Coolgardie Water Pipeline

People - "Ellis, Florence Sarah; Ellis Godfrey William" Buildings - House Associated with - Coolgardie Water Pipeline

People - "Ellis, Florence Sarah; Ellis, Godfrey William" Buildings - House Associated with - Coolgardie Water Pipeline?

In 1900 a group of former Ballarat School of Mines students working in Western Australia commissioned and presented a bust of Professor Alfred Mica Smith to the School. The former students are Claude Maitland (CLark & Co.); A.L. Hay (Queen Margaret Gold Mine); A.S. Lilburne (Freemantle Smelting Works); Latham Watson (Golden Rhine Gold Mine); Arthur Kildahl (Ivanhoe Gold Corporation. Thomas Copeland (Associated Gold Mine); F.A. Moss (Kalgurli Hold Mine, Hainault Gold Mine); W.A. Hearman (New Arrow Propriety); Caradoc James (Golden Link Gold Mine); Alex Fraser (great Boulder Gold Mine); E.O. Watt (Kalgurli Gold Mine); G.M. Roberts (great Boulder Gold Mine); J.J. Dunstan (Chaffers Gold Mine); H.W. Moss, (Kalgoorli Gold Rec. Co); J.A. Hill (Kalgoorli Gold Rec. Co); John Dunstan (Associated Gold Mine); C.M. Harris (Hannans Propriety Development Co. Ltd); W.H. Cobould (Hannans Reward Gold Mine); John W. Sutherland (Golden Horsehoe Estates)The original photo was presented to Professor Alfred Mica Smith by the 'Old Boys' pictured.A printed image of former students of the Ballarat School of Mines, and donors towards commissioning a bust of their former lecturer Professor Alfred Mica Smith. ballarat school of mines, mining, western australia, coolgardie. kalgoorlie, maitland, hay, lilburne, watson, kildahl, copeland, moss, hearman, james, fraser, watt, roberts, dunstan, hill, harris, corbould, sutherland, william corbould, john sutherland, john w. sutherland

Without refrigeration, storage of meat was difficult. Flies were a problem, and it was important to keep meat cool and out of the way of pests. One way of doing this was to use a meat safe: a kind of cupboard designed to store meat and keep it fresh enough to eat. Meat safes are ventilated. They were sometimes made with sides of wire mesh or perforated metal, so that air could circulate around the meat while keeping flies and other animals out.The Coolgardie safe was invented in the late 1890s by Arthur Patrick McCormick, who used the same principle as explorers and travelers in the Outback used to cool their canvas water bags Originally they were handmade using materials to hand. In the early 20th century, Coolgardie Safes were manufactured commercially across Australia, and found their way into homes in both rural and urban areas. These safes incorporated shelving and a door, had metal or wooden frames and Hessian bodies. The feet of the safe were usually placed in a tray of water to keep ants away. (refs ABC-Home; Museum Victoria)The Coolgardie safe was an Australian invention used especially in country areas from the 1890s until the mid 20th century. It began to be replaced by ice chests from the turn of the twentieth century in cities and country towns which had ice works. This item is an example of a domestic appliance commonly used before electricity was widely available for domestic use.A cube-shaped metal Coolgardie safe painted blue. It has a triangular hook on the top for hanging or lifting. There are small feet at bottom . The sides are perforated in a Above the door; Inside a rhomboid shape "WILLOW"food-storage coolgardie-safe domestic

Churchill Island has a large photograph collection dating from the nineteenth century. This series consists of candid photographs of everyday life taken by previous residents of the island.Black and White photograph of Rogers Cottage and the rose garden with the Coolgardie safe on the balcony.Catalogue number written on reverse in pencil. Handwritten in pen on reverse: 'CHURCHILL EARLY 1950's'churchill island

BHS CollectionBlack and white photograph glued to cardboard. The photo depicts a group of people, three men, a woman and a child. The woman and child are sitting on a camel. the group is in front of a shed or a small house. Taken somewhere in the Western Australia outback.W. Roy Millar, photos - Bayley Street Coolgardie, Hannan Street Kalgoorliewestern australia, outback, rural

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photographic collection dating from the nineteenth century to the modern day. This photograph was taken behind Amess House and shows Cora Van Dyke.Colour photograph of a woman in period costume, standing beside the white Coolgardie Safe on the Amess House rear balcony [catalogue number written on reverse in pencil]churchill island, photograph

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photographic collection dating from the nineteenth century to the modern day. This photograph was taken behind Amess House and shows Cora Van Dyke.Colour photograph of a woman in period costume, standing beside the white Coolgardie Safe on the Amess House rear balcony [catalogue number written on reverse in pencil]churchill island, photograph

The Coolgardie safe was invented in the late 1890s on the Western Australian goldfields. Its invention was credited to a local contractor named Arthur Patrick McCormick. It was a practical system to preserve food prior to modern refrigeration. The wire grid kept the food safe from vermin and allowed breeze to blow through. It was often covered with wet hessian so that as the breeze circulated the water evaporated, creating the same concept as coolant in modern refrigerators and ice boxes. In most respects it was a variation of the bushman’s hessian bag hanging in a tree. In larger towns and cities during this time period large "ice works" could deliver block ice to areas that required a form of refrigeration. These ice blocks where held in early refrigerators to keep perishables cool. In isolated or rural households, the Coolgardie or meat safe was the next best, practical solution for food preservation. This safe was used in the home of the Conway family in Wodonga.This item is very significant to the Wodonga region as it represents the initiative and problem solving skills of the early settlers. It also reflects the primitive conditions in which they lived before the arrival of more modern services such as electricity.Meat safe or Coolgardie safe manufactured in Australia. This safe is made from metal and has been painted in green paint. 2 sides of the safe have a pattern of 6 squares of holes to allow for ventilation and air flow. The holes would also guard against insects and other vermin. There is one shelf inside, dividing it into 2 sections. The safe has a hook attached so that it can be suspended, often from a tree or on a verandah to increase air flow. The safe would often be covered by wet hessian to promote further cooling and preservation of foods such as milk, butter and meat.coolgardie safe, food preservation, pioneers innovation

Small album holding 9 photographs. 1 only identified Agnes Grieg Nairn .Born Coolgardie 1902 .Moved to Whitehorse Road Tunstall.agnes nairn, nairn family, hamilton family

People - "Ellis, Godfrey Jnr.; Ellis, Godfrey William" Associated with - "Frank Martin, Coolgardie (Photographer)"

Associated with - Malmsbury Or Coolgardie? Buildings - "Bridge, Water Race" People - "Ellis, Florence Sarah; Ellis Godfrey William"

Handwritten letter from the Westralian Goldfields Federated Miners' Union of Workers Coolgardie Branch conveying their admiration of his actions. Letter dated August 17th 1909 and written on paper with the WGFMUW letterhead and at the bottom their purple stamp. Signed by John Mitchell Secretary.John Mitchellmine, gold, joseph davies, joseph davies collection - letter of admiration, westralian goldfields federated miners' union of workers coolgardie branch, john allen, john mitchell

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

Illuminated address presented to Thomas Weekley mine manager of The Great Extended Hustlers Mine Bendigo 14th November 1895, on his departure from the mine to take up a position in Coolgardie. Brown timber frame with gold borders and decorated with colourful flowers and foliage.person, mining, thomas weekley

A pioneering response to the problem of preservation of foodstuffs in hot climatesA timber framed hessian covered cabinet with metal tray at the top and metal guttering cooled by the evaporation of water. Used to preserve cheese, butter, cream and meat and to set jellies. Invented circa 1900 at Coolgardie, W.A. and was in use until electric refrigeration became available.

This food safe is a mass-produced item made for domestic use by Willow Manufacturing in Australia fin the mid-20th century. Willow started a business in 1887 as a metalworking company based in Melbourne Australia, making tinned biscuit and tea canisters. In the First World War, the company began manufacturing armaments and essential packaging for the war effort. In the early 1920s, Willow produced domestic kitchen bakeware such as tin-plated canisters and baking pans labelled with the well-known Willow brand. Other items at this time include billies, boilers, basins and Coolgardie safes. In the late 1950s, the company ventured into plastics production. and in 1965, the name changed to Willow Ware Pty Ltd, to be more closely linked to its Willow brand. Willow Ware is still in business today.The Australian food safe is an example of domestic food storage and preservation in Australian homes from the mid-19th century and early 20th centuries. It is part of the evolution of food preservation methods leading up to our modern electric appliances. The maker, Willow, has a name associated with practical and reliable domestic products.Metal kitchen safe with two shelves, a hinged door and latch and a small swivel wire handle at the top. Painted light green. Airflow holes have been formed in each side panel. Made by Willow, Australia.Marked "Made in Australia" "Willow"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, food storage, food preservation, willow, willow manufacturing, willow australia, kitchen storage, food care, 19th century, 20th century, willow ware, domestic item, coolgardie meat safe, meat safe, food safe, coolgardie