[Athena E.]

Bonaire cooler unit​

Decades ago, the Bonaire cooler was a lifesaver on scorching Aussie days and nights. It didn’t just stay put either—it got shuffled from room to room, sometimes disappearing in the middle of the night because a sibling or parent had claimed it! A bucket of water (or ice, if you were lucky) kept it going, and arguments often broke out over whose turn it was to refill. It felt like a blessing on a hot summer’s day.

Source: Memory Lane - Growing up in Australia / Facebook

Do you remember having one of these in your home? Share your stories below!

 

[Jancgr]

The cooler was handy for a brief time in rental accommodation. In our new house, the cooler was obsolete and confined to a storage area. However, it was again put to use when I was placed in a classroom that had morning sun in windows on one side - I asked the cleaner not to open those blinds - the sun travelled over the roof and came in windows on the corridor side in the afternoon. We all sweltered! I had a large thermometer for maths purposes and I can clearly remember and see the principal making a rare appearance in the room. One boy leapt to his feet, ran to the thermometer and exclaimed, “Look, Sir! It’s 40 degrees!”
The surly response, looking at me, was simply, “Don’t try that on me!” I had tried official ways to get air conditioning!
Hence my portable cooler was placed in the room and students took turns at filling when needed.
I don’t recall that principal ever entering my room again!

 

[Benny's Light]

I taught in a demountable classroom in an open area with no shade anywhere close. It had the sun on it all day. I had two of these in the classroom that made the inside the same as the outside temperature. Otherwise without it the classroom was like an oven being so much hotter inside than out. Those were the days of teaching in a country school. My last posting had demountables that were properly insulated and airconditioned - a bit of an upgrade from the eighties.

 

[Tarzan1951]

Had one of these in the 70's and 80's. Living in Charters Towers where the bitumen used to melt on the road everyone needed one. Kerosene heaters in the winter as well. And if all else failed then back to the trusty old tin willow esky full of ice and a few cold beers.

 

[thomas]

just let mine go a few months ago,

 

[Viellarde]

There was one at my parents' house for 3 decades.

 

[Leenie]

We also had one about 50 yrs ago , had straw in the back after a few yrs it started to throw out drops of water so was sent to the rubbish dump. It was good in the central qld heat.