Lorraine Tye cared for her husband who lived with dementia and her son (46yrs) with cerebral palsy, totally dependent, and has always advocated for their needs. These life experiences have given her extensive familiarity consulting in relation to funding and services with Councils, Government departments and organizations. When possible, Lorraine pursues her creative practices for culture, exhibition and to advocated for people with special needs.

‘In my caring role I have had to travel roads many people do not have to roam. On my journey I have had to speak up for others within my family to ensure their rights as human beings are respected and that they are treated with dignity. I have learnt many difficult lessons. At this point in time, I would like to make a difference in the path others may travel in their caring role. I would like to make that journey less difficult, less complicated, and more collaborative. I would like to lessen their load.’

For Lorraine care and services are delivered not just by the medical profession and providers but by family, friends (informal supports) and external agencies. She would like to advocate for people who don’t have a voice or are not able to advocate for themselves. She feels there is a real need for more transparency and consumers, partners and family members need to be informed in the care of their loved one.

Lorraine Tye is a Wiradjuri Elder living on Wiradjuri Country at Wagga Wagga - place of big gathering. Lorraine has advocated through the following:

Spokesperson for the rights of Carers for rights on Prime TV (formally known as RVN2) and ABC Radio from 1980 to 1985.
Presentation on Carers roles annually for Northcott and Homecare from 10090 until the commencement of NDIS in 2017 in Wagga. Over the twenty year span Lorraine presented to an excess of 500 Carers and family.
As a recognized artist engaged in commissioned work to create symbolic artworks/pieces that were used as a physical reminder of the need to practice in culturally and responsive ways for Health Workers (conservative estimate over 1500 individual art pieces)
Secretary and Treasurer for Hands on Weavers Inc (HOW Group) 2014 until current. The HOW Group are a collective of people who enjoy a revival of weaving practices. The HOW Group encourages people interested in coming together to share each others stories about their journey.
Board member for Eastern Riverina Arts (ERA) for 2011 to 2016. ERA enriches, inspires and connects our region by fostering arts, culture, creative industry and community. ERA support artists and arts organisations, initiate and deliver projects, provide creative business advice and advocate for a strong arts and cultural sector in our region.
Invitation member for Aboriginal Consultative Group for Eastern Riverina Arts since inception 2019. Provide cultural knowledge in context of the arts – music, art, drama and dance.
Board member and Treasurer for the Uranquinty Folk Festival for 15 years until 2020. Uranquinty Folk Festival is a small, family-orientated festival, 12 kilometres south of Wagga Wagga southern NSW. Formed in 1970 by the Wagga Wagga Folk society, it is one of Australia's oldest folk festivals. At Uranquinty Folk Festival the emphasis is on participation, campfire & pub sessions, workshops, dances and blackboards. Concerts at the Uranquinty Hotel and the Oval, where new and/or unknown artists as well as old friends are encouraged.
Board member Uranquinty Progress Association from 2001 until 2011 and then a general member until present. Community run association for the betterment of the Uranquinty as a social place.
Cultural Advisor with the HOME Program with Art Gallery NSW and NSW Education Department from its inception 2015. The HOME Program connects professional Aboriginal artists, students and teachers with local Aboriginal community, regional galleries and the Art Gallery of NSW to explore cultural practice, language and artmaking. It is series of workshops, virtual excursions and a teaching and learning program for primary students culminating in an exhibition at a regional art gallery. Home is a partnership between Wiradjuri community, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, NSW Department of Education's Arts Unit and the Art Gallery of NSW and connects schools to local Aboriginal artists, community, language and culture.

Wagga NAIDOC recipient 2018 for Arts and Culture - Advocate for creative arts for accessible access for all people, championing cultural arts, fostering opportunities for culturally appropriate programs for young people.
2016 and 2020 - Panel member Regional Arts Conference Artlands. Artlands is a strategic exchange that responds to emerging trends, discovers new ideas, considers adapted approaches and showcases artists as well as highlighting the creative and cultural sector across regional, rural and remote Australia.
- First panel discussed creating successful programming partnerships that connect communities, schools and arts organisations.
- Second panel was a masterclass on Activating the Lawful Relationships between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous People.
- Third panel was on trauma within mental health and cultural sensitive discussion on suicide.
Registered member Aging and Aged Care Engagement Hub from 2021 until current
Member for Wagga Wagga Elders Abuse Collaborative Team (WWEACT) Information sharing across State Network of collaborative teams. In order to share learnings, insight and best practice approaches when responding to abuse, neglect and exploitation of older people and adults with disability.
Participant in the Wicking Dementia – Understanding Dementia Course 2022.
Wiradjuri Nation Building. Commencing in 2014 working with RMIT, CSU and Wagga Wagga Art Gallery programs presented include:
- 2015 and 2017 RMIT A vertically-integrated studio in communication design is partnering with Wiradjuri Nation citizens to enable non-indigenous students to develop Indigenous cultural awareness and literacies. Consulted, Lead programs and delivered workshops.
- 2016 Dabaamalang Waybarra Miya: Mob of people weaving together, acting in concert – four day cultural program bringing Wiradjuri peoples together to practice sovereignty through weaving. Lead, organized and presented
- 2016 Wiradjuri Off Country – Lead, consulted and presented weaving workshops and presentation on Wiradjuri Culture.
- 2017 Paper and Presentation at World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) - Cultural practices: Pathways towards Indigenous Nationhood and Sovereignty – cowrote and presented
- 2018 Green Design Award – Being Wiradjuri Together – Co-Designing Self-Determination - recipient