The Voice Australia’s Matthew Garwood is elected mayor of Launceston

A former finalist on The Voice Australia has had a drastic career change.

Matthew Garwood, who reached the final of the show in 2014 and was brought back for the all stars series four years ago, has been elected as the mayor in Tasmania’s second-largest city.

On Wednesday, the musical theatre singer took the title of mayor of Launceston after he received 57.71 per cent of votes. 

Matthew has been the acting mayor of the city since May, after previous mayor Danny Gibson stepped down amid controversy. 

Speaking to The Mercury after the results, Matthew said he was ‘really pleased’. 

‘It’s going to take a little while to sink in, I’ve been literally pressing the refresh button from my office all day,’ Mr Garwood said. 

He added: ‘I think the Launceston community is ready for its next best self and the momentum that even Mayor Gibson had started to instill, I think Launceston is ready for that.

‘I’m ready to keep on going and put that focus back on the community, take the focus away from us.’

On Wednesday, the musical theatre singer took the title of mayor of Launceston after he received 57.71 per cent of votes

While Matthew has had a major career change, last month he also welcomed his first child, a daughter called Billy

While Matthew has had a major career change, last month he also welcomed his first child, a daughter called Billy. 

He shared an adorable snap on Instagram of him taking her to her first basketball game. 

Alongside the sweet photo, the mayor wrote: ‘So awesome that as the current Mayor of the city and new dad, I can continue to do what I love and continue to contribute to amazing parts of our community like tonight. 

‘I’m not sure what other Mayors might be up to on a Sat night, but I love DJing and supporting the Launceston Tornadoes’.

The singer welcomed his first child with his partner last month, just after he became acting mayor