Thea Ormonde, Founder & Festival Manager, Australian UFO Festival UFO festival Cardiwell Queensland, was born and raised in Far North Queensland, she has always been drawn to the stars, and the mysteries they hold. Her lifelong fascination with the unknown began with a personal encounter at just seven years old, when she witnessed something unexplained in the night sky while camping with family and friends. Since then, she’s experienced several more sightings, deepening her curiosity and commitment to exploring the unexplained.

In 2014, Thea played a key role in organizing the 150th anniversary celebrations of white settlement in her hometown of Cardwell. Among the commemorative events was the first-ever Cardwell UFO Festival—an idea sparked by the region’s rich history of unexplained phenomena, from strange lights and orbs to sightings of unidentified craft and the elusive “hairy men” said to inhabit the area.

What began as a small market and open mic forum has evolved under Thea’s leadership into the Australian UFO Festival—a unique, three-day event that draws attendees from across the country and beyond. The festival is built on two pillars: the fun and quirky, where costumes, creativity, and community spirit shine; and the serious and sincere, offering spaces like the C-Files Forum for those with a genuine interest in the unexplained to connect, share experiences, and explore new ideas in a respectful and open environment.