My name is Tiphanie May and I was born in the Falkland Islands to my parents Chris and Lindsey. My parents are merino wool sheep farmers owning a small farm in the north of the Falkland Islands until i was about 11 before taking the opportunity to buy a small group of islands to the south. This group of islands is called Speedwell Island group and my parents still live there today farming approximately 5000 sheep for merino wool production. My mum, dad, brother and I were the only residents on these three islands so i was raised in a remote island setting. I was in camp education in the my younger years so received my education via VHF radio and travelling teacher until I aged out of the program. I then continued my education in the country’s capital Stanley between commuting to the islands on the holidays and longer weekends.
Living on islands we always had to work boats and in my earlier years my parents had a small crab fishing business alongside their agricultural business. At 16 I managed to complete my education to a high enough level to qualify for the Falklands Islands Government Overseas Education support. I travelled to the UK to complete my A Levels and BSc to become a Marine Biologist completing my education in 2011 with a masters degree in Marine Biology from the University of Bangor (Wales).
I returned to the Falkland Islands in 2012 and worked for the government in various roles including fisheries observer, graduate trainee in policy and a project officer for mineral resources. Later on I worked as an environmental consultant working on various marine mammal projects relating to the oil industry and MOD. I also worked as an Assistant Manager at a small experimental trout farm for quite some time in between always working in tourism and on my parent’s farm when i could. I have also been a retained firefighter for 13 years. I have had quite a few cool opportunities such as representing the Falklands at the UN, the commonwealth youth parliament and the Natwest Island Games.
In 2018 an expedition ship passed by looking for a local marine biologist with a boat licence and I was lucky enough to join that expedition. After that I worked hard to expand my portfolio and become a full time polar expedition guide working for several companies to gain experience in other regions. Between contracts I still live in the Falklands and work on the farm when I can. I also work on habitat restoration projects and other government projects when I can. I live at home with my partner Fernando, a cat Nala, a dog Boo, a sheep called Lamby and some fish. In my spare time I am working on a renovation project and various craft projects.
