MANSFIELD tourism officer Gareth McDonald knows all about event planning.

But he also has an intricate knowledge and long–held passion for early 2000s hip–hop.

"I think that's something not many people in the community would know about me," Gareth said with a laugh.

"I was rapper for six years."

In the early 2000s, Gareth was a signed recording artist with Obese Records, Australia's largest independent hip–hop label.

"I released quite a few solo albums and group albums which was a lot of fun," he said.

"Music is a fantastic form of expression and a good way to get everything out, so I really enjoyed being a part of the early Australian hip–hop scene."

Two decades later, Gareth has put down the microphone and started work as the Economic Development Officer of Tourism and Events for the Mansfield Shire Council.

For Gareth, the most important part of the role was the community.

"I really enjoy putting together events and tourism that benefits locals as well as tourists," he explained.

"It's awesome to see everyone out and about and working together."

Gareth was instrumental in organising many community events including this year's inaugural Pottery Festival.

However, he was most proud of his involvement in the High Country Festival in the Botanic Gardens last year.

"The High Country festival was one of the first major events that we did after COVID," he said.

"It was the night that the mask restrictions were lifted, so the atmosphere and vibe that evening was great."

Born and raised in Melbourne, Gareth travelled to the High Country to study tourism and hospitality at Mount Buller's La Trobe University.

During his studies, he worked across numerous bars, while gaining key insights into the hospitality industry.

"Mount Buller was an awesome spot to learn all about tourism and service and it's also the place where I met my wife Jess," he said.

"We were both studying the same course."

After his studies, Gareth and Jess travelled back to Melbourne and continued working across local bars and restaurants.

However, when they started looking for houses, Gareth had an epiphany.

"My wife and I thought to ourselves, 'Why not just buy a house in Mansfield?'"

After returning to Mansfield, Gareth spent nearly eight years as the business development manager for Merchant Coffee Roasters.

"I helped push supply to over 200 cafes around Victoria and even up to New South Wales," he explained.

"To have the Mansfield name all over the state was pretty cool."

For Gareth, the key to a spectacular cup of coffee was all in the beans.

"You have to start with good beans because if you start with badly roasted coffee then you can't do much to save it," he said.

Gareth said his years in hospitality had equipped him with useful skills for his current role on the Mansfield Shire Council.

"In working in hospitality you really just learn how to deal with all kinds of people and you learn how to communicate effectively," he explained.

"In council, a lot of things happen in the background but everything is linked together through service.

"You ensure customers are happy whether it's a tourist or whether it's a local grabbing a quick coffee."

For Gareth, Mansfield continued to be a special place.

"I think Mansfield is the type of community where everyone heralds each other's achievements," he said.

"If someone has an event or someone does something well, the town seems proud of their people, which is really cool.

"I think in a big city like Melbourne everyone is really busy and doing their own thing, where Mansfield is really interested in how we can present as a whole."

While Gareth officially calls Mansfield home, did he miss any part of city life?

"Melbourne dumplings, without a doubt," he said.

"But now Mansfield has The Fields restaurant, so I can get good dumplings anytime."

Looking forward, Gareth had many goals he would like to accomplish as Mansfield Shire's tourism officer.

"I want to try and promote Mansfield as much as possible," he said.

"Everyone knows we've got rivers, lakes and natural beauty, but we also have events like the Pottery Festival and the Readers and Writers Festival which are starting to come through.

"Hopefully events like this can help showcase Mansfield in a different sort of way."

In between organising Mansfield's next big event or spending time with Jess and their seven–year–old son Oliver, Gareth occasionally steps back into the music studio.

"I've got recording equipment at home so every now and then I'll muck around and record something with Oliver," he said.

"It's definitely a lot of fun."