Frederick Roy Vyse (known as Roy) was born in Australia on 6th October 1895, but his grandparents, originally Norwegian, came from England. They lived in Kapunda (SA), where Vyse spent his childhood and teenage life. It was probably then when Vyse discovered his interests in nature, especially the sea and country. At the age of 12 his father made him leave school and go to work instead. In this time he developed many hobbies such as collecting and reading books on various subjects and photography. He married in 1919 and lived in Norwood (SA). He started to work for Kodak SA as Shop Manager and then became their representative for Radiography. While in this position, he died suddenly of a coronary on 5th June 1957. Further interests of Vyse were collecting ancient relics from different parts of the world and artefacts of African, Pacific Islands and Australian Aboriginal people. His collection was said to be the best outside the South Australian Museum and Vyse knew the history and meanings of all his collected objects. He started trips to the Northern Territory probably in the late 1930's and was so intensily interested in the country, scenery, lifestyle, Aboriginal people and the various tribal groups that he returned annually from then on. He usually travelled in a Landrover with a friend from the territory and was accompanied by a couple of Aboriginal trackers. He was always trying to find new routes, passing different stations and missions. He was very interested in the Aboriginal people and they accepted him as 'their friend'. He respected their lifestyle, culture und religious beliefs and was thus privileged to see their sacred ceremonies and objects. Kodak asked Vyse to act as their representative and from then on he combined business with pleasure, creating radiographic and photographic material for Kodak.