A Legacy of Care: Rukiye Apaydin's Journey with GTCF

As we farewell Sister Rukiye Apaydin from her role at the Gallipoli Turkish Cultural Foundation, we take a moment to recognise a remarkable individual whose work has brought safety, healing, and hope to hundreds within our community.

With more than 12 years of experience in refugee settlement, child protection, mental health support, and domestic violence advocacy, Rukiye joined GTCF in 2023 as a Domestic Violence Case Worker. Her passion has always been clear:

“To help people, especially vulnerable women and children live their best lives.”

At GTCF, she provided culturally safe support to victim-survivors of domestic, family, and sexual violence by helping women re-establish safe and stable lives away from harm. Through casework, community education, and awareness initiatives, she has supported over 200 individuals, including children, and reached around 900 people with information programs promoting safety and understanding.

A Safe Place to Turn

Working from the mosque offered a unique opportunity to reach those who might otherwise struggle to seek help. Many women expressed that they felt spiritually supported and safe speaking with Rukiye, knowing their values would be respected rather than judged.

Rukiye’s ability to walk with women at their pace and on their terms meant support wasn’t bound by program limits. Instead, it was guided by compassion and the shared goal of rebuilding lives with dignity and confidence.

From language limitations to lack of awareness of financial rights she acknowledges the complex challenges many women face Her gentle reassurance became a lifeline:

“DFSV is not their fault. People using violence choose violence and control.”

Leadership Built on Strength and Advocacy

For Rukiye, the motivation to continue  has always been grounded in human rights, women’s safety, and children’s wellbeing.

She has also advocated for culturally and faith-aware services because trust grows faster when women feel seen, understood, and respected in their identities. This has been instrumental in breaking silence and empowering women to reach out for help.

To future case workers and volunteers, she leaves behind invaluable guidance:

• Remain professional and set boundaries

• Be aware of unconscious bias

• Focus on strengths and capacity building

• Practise anti-oppressive social work

• Prioritise self-care to prevent burnout

Thank You, Rukiye

Rukiye’s impact of her compassion continues in the lives of the women and families she has supported. We are incredibly grateful for her dedication, her courage, and her unwavering commitment to uplifting others.

We wish her every success and continue to use her legacy to guide our work in the future.

Support is available. If you are experiencing similar issues please reach out

 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).