
This is a Coolgardie Safe. I guess you could call it the fridge of the 1930′s (ish). I went to meet it the other day at the History House in Armadale as it is my partner in a National Trust exhibition next year featuring 20 or so of these beauties paired with art works along the theme of ‘safe keeping heritage’ which explores some aspect of WA’s natural, Aboriginal and/or historic heritage to keep safe for future generations. Old stuff and conservation – right up my alley/dirt track!
So, this fridge is a cool thing… look it’s been a long time between holidays, I am tired and it’s the best I can come up with! Anyway, for the benefit of the overseas and young folks the way it works is that water is poured in to the round thing on the top which has a tiny hole in the bottom so the water drips through on to the tray underneath. The little flannels dangling over the sides then soak up the water from the tray and transfer it to the hessian on the sides. The wind blows and cool air is circulated through the unit enabling jellies to be set and butter to be kept. I think I have remembered that correctly. See, a cool thing, although not much room for your magnets.
PS As seems to have become tradition at this time of year my camera has died, so I am trying to get to grips with taking photos with my phone. Please excuse any rubbishness worse than usual.
PPS To find a better word than rubbishness I have looked in my thesaurus and discovered the word trumpery. So please excuse any trumpery worse than usual.