The 92-year-old started collecting shells in 1962 after he relocated to Thailand to work for a Dutch petroleum company, managing oil refineries.

Whenever Frank clocked off, he would head straight to the Gulf of Thailand, diving for hours in search of new treasures to add to his growing collection.

After a decade of living in Thailand, Frank’s work took him to The Philippines, where he continued diving in surrounding island waters, often to remarkable depths, followed by postings in India and Brunei.

SHELL SEEKER: Seasons Living resident Frank Hayman’s proudly shows off his shell collection, amassing 43,000 different species from 30 countries across the Pacific Rim. Picture: Contributed

“I couldn’t wait to get back into the water and there was never a weekend I went without scuba diving,” he said.

“But you have to be so careful – I have seen many divers get into trouble at 100 fathoms and deeper.”

Even something as serious as deep-sea diving has not interfered with Frank’s ability to tell a great story and make others laugh.

“One of the worst sharks in the sea – the Black Tip Shark – once swam straight towards me and stopped to check me out,” he said.

“It was only a little baby but I usually don’t tell people that part as that would ruin the story!”

OCEAN TREASURES: A selection of pieces from Frank Hayman’s shell collection including a Cypraea Valentia, Tibia, Paper Nautilus, and Golden Cowrie. Picture: Rhylea Thompson

Before moving to Seasons, Frank had amassed an extraordinary collection with an estimated 43,000 shells found from 30 countries across the Pacific Rim, including species which are extremely rare or even extinct today.

“I was once approached by an associate on behalf of the Emperor of Japan, offering to pay me $15,000 for a very rare shell,” he said.

“Of course I declined… I don’t sell shells – I collect them.”

Fascinated by the diversity and behaviour of each species, Frank said while shells genuinely feed on microorganisms, they tend to eat other shells if they get trapped or damaged so they will actively avoid each other.

NATURAL WONDERS: A selection of pieces from Frank Hayman’s shell collection including a Cypraea Valentia, Tibia, Paper Nautilus, and Golden Cowrie. Picture: Rhylea Thompson

Frank’s knowledge of shells is as impressive as his passion with the retiree able to identify and share facts about almost any shell with a quick glance.

“Some are edible and very popular but to be honest, I’d rather have a burger,” Frank said.

“Others are very poisonous and are well documented of having killed many fishermen in Southeast Asia.”

RARE FINDS: Living in several different countries throughout his lifetime, it became a weekend routine for Frank Hayman to go scuba diving in the ocean, where he discovered the majority of the special pieces in his shell collection. Picture: Contributed

Among his most prized pieces are the Cypraea Valentia, Tibia, the delicate Paper Nautilus, and Fiji’s unofficial emblem – the Golden Cowrie.

But for the avid collector, nothing could compare to his one true love – the Conus Gloriamaris.

“It’s also known as the ‘Glory of the Sea’ and is one of the most sought-after seashells in the world,” Frank said.

“This species was once so rare that only the King of Holland owned one 300-something years ago.

“It’s beautiful but deadly… it could strike through your hand and kill you within half an hour and there are only a dozen or so left so they are very expensive.”

GLORY FOUND: Frank Hayman holding his favourite shell – the Conus Gloriamaris, which is also known as ‘Glory of the Sea’ and considered one of the most sought-after species according to Frank. Picture: Contributed

Endlessly proud of his mass collection, Frank said every shell carries a different memory and story.

“To me, they are far too precious to sell and they remind me every day of how precious life is too,” he said.

Our residents have incredible stories. Read more at our blog here or check out the quarterly Seasons Newsletter here.