This is a common small 'meat safe' used in most homes prior to the arrival of Refrigerators. Food, such as milk, butter, cooked meat would be stored for a short time in this safe. It would be suspended from the ceiling / roof in a cool place - Dairy - and the mesh sides allowed air circulation while providing protection from insects and vermin.A green, tin meat safe with mesh sides and a hinged door with a latch lock. early settlers, pioneers, food preservation, meat safe, kalgoolie safe, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, ormond, dairy products, diseases, vermin