triple j partners with AIME for Hottest 100

The campaign to have triple j move their Hottest 100 Countdown from January 26 to an alternative day has been rejected by the broadcaster who have decided that it will remain on the same day for the foreseeable future.

And today triple j has announced that they are teaming up with the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) for the Hottest 100. By working with AIME, triple j hopes to use this wide-reaching platform to create a meaningful connection between all communities, including Indigenous Australians.

In 2015, triple j’s listeners raised over $100,000 for AIME, a mentoring program supporting Indigenous kids through high school and into university, training and employment with a completion rate the same as the average Australian child – aiming to close the gap in educational outcomes.

Ollie Wards, triple j Content Director, says of the partnership: “The Hottest 100 is the biggest thing triple j does every year. While we celebrate the year’s best music, we believe that together with a great organisation like AIME, triple j has a powerful opportunity and a responsibility to create a positive impact. In partnering with AIME we hope to raise money to empower Indigenous young people and also acknowledge and discuss all perspectives of 26 January.”

Jack Manning-Bancroft, Founder and CEO of AIME, says: “Australia Day represents pain and mourning for many Australians, including our first Australians. It also represents immense pride for many Aussies, reflecting on how far we’ve come. The past has been written. What I love about triple j and the Hottest 100 is that we have a chance to speak to millions of Australians and provide a platform to shape a narrative for the future filled with colour, joy and love of our difference.”

“It’s a dream to be working with triple j again for the Hottest 100. Last year we raised over $100K, which has catapulted us to be working with over 6,000 Indigenous kids, up from 4,500 the year before. We want to change the way Australia operates and couldn’t think of a better partner to help make that happen.”

Hottest 100 voting opens on Monday 12 December.