We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land.
We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons.
Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written
or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
True North is at the centre of the north pole This is a fixed point at the top of the planet. The majority of our navigational charts are orientated so that they use true north as their reference point. This is because true north doesn’t move. Magnets don’t point towards true north however. They point toward magnetic north which is in a different geographical place. The difference in the angle between true north and magnetic north is call variation.
Physical description
Three wooden boxes containing magnetic compass quadrantal correctors, correcting magnets and shadow pins.
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands
where we live, learn and work.