Born in Benambra, Cr Sonia Buckley is a fifth generation High Country woman who currently has a retreat property on the Mitta Mitta River and lives in Benambra.

Sonia farms Hereford cattle. She is the daughter of Ben Buckley, a former long-standing Councillor, and recently-retired Deputy Mayor of East Gippsland Shire.

Ben Buckley is highly regarded and stands for transparency in government; Ben has been an inspiration for Sonia to continue in representing the people in local politics.

Sonia has been actively engaged in local and state issues for many years, previously standing as a candidate for local government election, and also in State Elections for the Liberal Party and Liberal Democrats.

At the 2019 Federal Election Sonia stood as an Independent stating:

"I feel that I need to represent my true political leanings which do not always fit within party lines, I believe in open and robust democracy, freedom of speech is our right and should be protected. I have very strong conservationist values; we need to take care of the planet with common sense approaches".

Sonia has two adult children who she loves greatly and has two kelpie dogs that she adores, and they keep her active.

She has a passion for the bush and the wild brumbies and in her spare moments enjoys writing songs and plays multiple instruments.

Sonia has travelled extensively and sung in places like New York and New Orleans and has created and directed live theatre.

Sonia studied units of a Psychological Science degree in Townsville at James Cook University.

She owns a film production company and enjoys the quiet of the mountains and is looking forward to being of service to the people of East Gippsland.