Historical information
http://museumvictoria.com.au/discoverycentre/infosheets/the-coolgardie-safe/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coolgardie_safe
The Coolgardie Safe is a low-tech refrigeration unit which uses the heat transfer which occurs during evaporation of water. It was named after the place where it was invented — the small mining town of Coolgardie, Western Australia, near Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
http://www.biggles.com.au/
The Coolgardie Safe was simply a wire framed box with wheat sack strips hanging down the sides, which were kept wet by the process of osmosis from a dish or small tank of water. The food inside the Safe was kept cool due to the principle that evaporation takes away heat; the wet hessian strips experience evaporation from the wind and the sun and thus you have a refrigerator.
http://www.whitehat.com.au/australia/Inventions/InventionsA.html
Physical description
Coolgardie Safe made from galvanised iron with hessian drapped over 4 sides, rectangular on 4 legs. 2 trays inside, 3rd tray inserted in top as cover, metal meshing on callapsable sides and door. Stands in tray. The tray assists with pest control as it was filled with water.
