President & founder
Tanya Hicks
Brings Autistic lived experience and a commitment to identity, connection and accessible community participation.
About usA little different.
A little different.
A place to belong.
Sparkly Aliens Inc. is a Sunshine Coast based not-for-profit incorporated association focused on LGBTIQA+ community connection, wellbeing and practical access.
Our purposeMake more room
Make more room
for people.
Finding connection can be harder when money, isolation, discrimination or inaccessible spaces get in the way.
We support shared-interest connection, free and subsidised participation, community education and opportunities for LGBTIQA+ people to contribute. Assistance is considered according to need and available resources.
Our name makes room for people who have felt a little alien in the world. You bring your own interests, identity and way of being.
Sparkly Aliens was founded by Tanya Hicks. Its history brings together lived experience, practical support and a commitment to belonging. Members endorsed the organisation’s LGBTIQA+-specific direction on 28 October 2026.
The people behind the organisation
Meet our committee.
Our committee is responsible for the organisation’s purpose, resources, safeguarding and accountability.
Secretary
Taija Wilde
Supports the Association’s records, communication and governance responsibilities.
Treasurer
Carla-Marie Richards
Appointed at the October 2026 AGM. Oversees the Association’s financial records and reporting.
Committee details are published in our governance information.
Our community connections
Working together. Clear responsibilities.
Sparkly Aliens Inc.
Our not-for-profit supports LGBTIQA+ community connection, practical access assistance and opportunities to contribute.
Neurodivergent Empowered
A separate organisation delivering its own clinical and NDIS services under its own agreements.
Visit Neurodivergent EmpoweredThe Nest
The Caloundra venue operated by Neurodivergent Empowered. Activities held here can have different organisers.
headspace Caloundra
Operated by Lives Lived Well. Its team facilitates the Rainbow Social Group and manages registration.
See headspace group informationWe explain who is responsible for each activity. Your enquiry is not automatically shared with a partner. Any referral or information sharing is discussed with you.
Trust and accountability