Green’s Dictionary of Slang

work; also as v., also as slave and Turk.

1967		‘Whisper All Aussie Dict.’ in Kings Cross Whisper (Sydney) xli 4/3: terrible turk: Work. Unpopular pastime of the proletariat.
1972		Dodson & Saczek Dict. of Cockney Rhy. Sl. 37: slave and Turk. Work.
1983		R. Aven-Bray Ridgey-Didge Oz Jack Lang 7: It was pay night and it would be the pap for his terrible turk. [Ibid.] 9: There was enough shitmen, daggers, and pullemasides in the Western Suburbs where he lived and terrible turked.
1992		R. Puxley Cockney Rabbit.