Saarah Bulbul: Tributes for Mitcham lawyer, former Vermont Secondary College student

She was on holidays with her family and had everything to look forward to, including a promising career as a lawyer, until her tragic death.

Melbourne lawyer Saarah Bulbul died on July 28, 2022. Picture: LinkedIn.

The Victorian family of a promising young lawyer has been left devastated after she was killed in a tragic motorbike accident on an overseas family holiday.

Saarah Hannah Bulbul, 25, of Mitcham, was the passenger on the back of the bike when the driver lost control and crashed on July 28 in Istanbul, Turkey.

She died on the way to hospital from her injuries but the driver managed to escape the crash uninjured.

Ms Bulbul had been holidaying in Turkey with her parents and two sisters since mid July.

The family remains in Turkey and sister Nesi, 30, said she had already been buried at a family cemetery.

“We’re all devastated, she genuinely was full of life and had everything she ever wanted and everything was going right for her,” she said.

“It’s just way too quick and soon, and it doesn’t seem real yet.”

Nesi said her sister was a perfectionist with “another level of energy” and a witty sense of humour.

After studying at Swinburne University, Ms Bulbul was about 10 months into her first job as a lawyer with South Melbourne firm Grindal Legal.

“She loved her job and she was smashing it, she loved working there and recently they told her she was going places,” Nesi said.

Outside of her career, Nesi said Saarah loved snowboarding, travelling and fitness, and her friends “meant everything” to her.

A picture shared by Janice Bulbul of her with daughter Saarah, who died in a motorbike accident in Istanbul, Turkey on July 28, 2022. Picture: Facebook.

Despite being born in Australia, Ms Bulbul and her sisters spent most of their childhood in Turkey before family later returned and settled in Mitcham.

Nesi said her sister often added a touch of humour as she tried to learn English and overcome the language barrier.

“Culturally moving to Australia you’ve got to put yourself out there, and she did that, no issues,” she said.

The sisters completed their VCE studies at Vermont Secondary College, with Ms Bulbul graduating in 2015.

Principal Tony Jacobs described Ms Bulbul as “a vibrant, animated and energetic member of the school community.

“Saarah will always be remembered and sadly missed by all school friends and teachers,” Mr Jacobs said.

“Our thoughts go out to the family and closest friends over the loss of someone too young to leave us.”

A fundraiser has begun to establish a water well in a developing African country, in line with Ms Bulbul’s Muslim faith.

Ms Bulbul’s family is set to arrive back in Australia in the coming days, and she is survived by her parents, Fevzi and Janice, and sisters Nesi and Asena.