Meet the Team
Meet Sonya
Working behind the scenes in Finance, Sonya helps keep payroll, payments and accounts moving — with a strong focus on the people behind every process.
“Behind every timesheet, invoice and payment, there is a person, family, supplier or community activity relying on us to get it right.”
Can you tell us a little about your role and what you do day-to-day?
I work in the Finance team, mainly across payroll and accounts payable. My day-to-day work includes processing invoices and payments, checking timesheets, following up on approvals and helping make sure people are paid correctly and on time.
Although finance involves numbers and processes, my approach to work has always been human-centred. Behind every timesheet, invoice and payment, there is a person, family, supplier or community activity relying on us to get it right.
What brought you to YAC, and what were you doing before you joined the team?
I originally studied History in Türkiye. After moving to Australia 16 years ago, I entered a completely different field and completed a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting.
Since then, I have worked across bookkeeping, payroll and finance, as well as in the NDIS sector as a Support Coordinator and Plan Manager.
In my previous role, alongside bookkeeping, I somehow became the PA, HR contact, IT support person, administrator and unofficial “office aunty” all at once! Being able to focus on my professional area at YAC therefore feels like a bit of a luxury, and I am already learning many useful things.
On the days I am not at YAC, I help manage my husband’s cleaning business, so I am usually still working behind the scenes somewhere.
What do you enjoy most about working at YAC?
I come from the Zaza-speaking Alevi community of Tunceli City in Türkiye. Zaza is my mother tongue and Alevi traditions are an important part of my cultural and spiritual heritage.
Since joining YAC, I have noticed some meaningful connections between Yinhawangka culture and my own, particularly in the respect shown for Country, sacred places, Elders and the natural world.
In our culture, we also have sacred places that are greeted and treated with deep respect. When approaching one, people may kiss the entrance or kiss the side of their index finger and touch it to their forehead as a way of greeting and acknowledging the place. A candle may also be lit.
We practise something called rızalık, which is about seeking consent, blessing and mutual goodwill.
Respect and gratitude are also expressed through everyday traditions. For example, when milking a cow, the first drops of milk are poured onto the ground to give the earth its share. When returning home after a long absence, people may kiss the doorway and greet the home before entering. Traditionally, after making bread, water is poured onto the hotplate as a gesture of thanks and gratitude.
Elders are also central to our culture. When people have a disagreement or become estranged, respected Elders often step in to mediate. Their guidance carries significant weight and usually helps restore peace.
“Although our cultures are distinct, these connections make me especially interested in listening to and learning from Yinhawangka Members and Elders with genuine respect.”
I would also like Members to know that although much of my finance work happens behind the scenes, I take that responsibility seriously because every payment and process ultimately supports the organisation’s work for its Members.
What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I am number 12 in a family of 15 children!
My Turkish name is Songül — Songe in Zaza — which means “the last rose”. My parents apparently thought I would be their last child, but their plan did not quite work out because three more children came after me! 😅