Latest news

Pat Dillon was born in Broken Hill, where mining isn't just a job, but a way of life.

Growing up with stories of his grandfather and uncles working the mines, Pat was hooked.

"I loved going out there as a kid," Pat recalls.

When he was one, the Dillon family relocated to Wagga. After secondary school, he initially pursued an electrical engineering degree at the University of Wollongong.

But like a prospector searching for gold, Pat realised the real treasure lay elsewhere. The electrical field didn't quite light up his world, so instead, he found his true calling in the explosive excitement of mining engineering.

"I just loved the idea of big machines and blowing stuff up, like all mining engineers do," he said with a cheeky grin.

The switch laid the groundwork for Pat’s future role as Senior Engineer of Innovation & Technology at Fosterville Gold Mine.

Cutting his teeth in Cobar

Before making his mark at Fosterville, Pat cut his teeth at a copper mine in Cobar.

"Those graduate years in Cobar were a real turning point," he said. They helped Pat refine his engineering skills and deepen his commitment to environmentally conscious mining.

But it was the chance to dive into a role focused on mine scheduling and planning at Fosterville, that led Pat to Bendigo in 2020, a place he's now proud to call home.

“There’s nothing else really like this (Fosterville) anywhere in Australia,” he said.

"We're not in the middle of nowhere like the mines in Western Australia. That means we've got to be good neighbours," Pat said, emphasising the importance of harmonious coexistence between the mine and the local community.

Thrill of discovery

A major part of Pat's enthusiasm for working at Fosterville revolves around the mine's rich ore body.

"There's a real thrill in extracting such high-quality ore," he said.

Beyond the company's and the community's financial gains, Pat thrives on the technical challenges and achievements of mining such high-quality ore, reflecting his broader ambition to achieve operational excellence and innovation.

Supported by Fosterville, Pat gained his MBA in 2022, which opened new horizons in his strategic thinking and leadership and has further enriched his contributions to the mine.

"The MBA taught me different ways to think about strategic decisions," he said, valuing the new leadership and operational perspectives he has gained.

Finding harmony in Bendigo

Now well and truly settled in Bendigo with his wife and young son, Pat has found the perfect balance between his professional ambitions and a rich personal life, proving that true success lies in blending one’s passion with purpose.