I was invited to participate in SAWCAN’s annual workshop in Whyalla, where the NBPU session focused on monitoring and evaluation. The session began with a general update on NBPU, then moved into a practical discussion on why we monitor and evaluate our programs, how this supports continuous improvement, and how it strengthens accountability to community.
We explored what’s working well in our current data collection practices, identified strengths across teams, and shared ideas on how we can collect more meaningful and consistent data. A key part of the session was walking through all the reporting requirements and mapping them back to the activities SAWCAN delivers in community, which helped clarify how frontline work connects to broader organisational and funding expectations.
It was a highly engaging session and, as the first of the day, set a strong tone for the rest of the workshop. Thanks to Zena and the SAWCAN team for the invitation and for creating such a collaborative space to share and learn together.
Ronald OBrien
NBPU TIS Program Officer (SA, TAS, VIC)
December 12, 2025
SAWCAN Annual Workshop
I was invited to participate in SAWCAN’s annual workshop in Whyalla, where the NBPU session focused on monitoring and evaluation. The session began with a general update on NBPU, then moved into a practical discussion on why we monitor and evaluate our programs, how this supports continuous improvement, and how it strengthens accountability to community.
We explored what’s working well in our current data collection practices, identified strengths across teams, and shared ideas on how we can collect more meaningful and consistent data. A key part of the session was walking through all the reporting requirements and mapping them back to the activities SAWCAN delivers in community, which helped clarify how frontline work connects to broader organisational and funding expectations.
It was a highly engaging session and, as the first of the day, set a strong tone for the rest of the workshop. Thanks to Zena and the SAWCAN team for the invitation and for creating such a collaborative space to share and learn together.
Ronald OBrien
NBPU TIS Program Officer (SA, TAS, VIC)