Midge Ure strikes a chord during memorable visit to The Perth Mint
There was plenty of excitement around The Perth Mint this week as musician and humanitarian Midge Ure visited our iconic East Perth site to announce a new collaboration with Live Aid.
Joined by Western Australian Premier Roger Cook, Midge helped mark the beginning of a partnership that will see The Perth Mint release a commemorative precious metals collection inspired by the story of Live Aid and its impact on popular culture and charitable fundraising. 
The collaboration was driven by the Mint’s Chair John Van Der Wielen, who recognised the potential to create something unique for collectors while supporting a charitable cause.
His enthusiasm for the project and ability to bring together the right people helped transform an idea into a partnership spanning continents, industries and generations of music fans.
While the announcement was the official reason for the visit, the morning was much more than a media event.
Midge spent time meeting Perth Mint staff over morning tea, sharing stories from a career that has spanned more than four decades and shaped some of the most memorable moments in music history.
For several staff members, it was also a chance to meet one of their musical heroes, with a handful of passionate fans bringing treasured albums and memorabilia along for signing.
The visit also included a private tour of The Perth Mint's Gold Exhibition, where Midge explored the rich history of gold in Western Australia and came face-to-face with some of the Mint's most famous attractions, including the world's largest gold bar and the world's largest gold coin.
The collaboration announced during the visit will see The Perth Mint develop a range of limited-edition collector products inspired by the Live Aid story.
The first release, planned for December, will comprise just 50 two-ounce platinum coins, each paired with an original Do They Know It's Christmas? vinyl record.
Additional gold and silver products are planned to follow in 2027.
Midge said it was remarkable to see people continuing to connect with the story of Live Aid more than 40 years after it began.
"Music has an incredible ability to bring people together, and it's wonderful to see that story remembered in new ways and by new generations," he said.
The visit provided a rare opportunity to bring together music, history, collecting and philanthropy, while giving staff and guests a chance to meet one of the people behind a cultural phenomenon that continues to resonate around the world.
All profits generated through the commemorative collection will be donated to the charitable organisation associated with the Live Aid initiative, supporting its ongoing humanitarian work.
