Australasian Evaluation Society Conference

by Max Hardy

There is something about mixing with experienced practitioners, internationally recognised experts and learned academics in any field that makes one realise how much more there is to know. I found presenting a paper at the 1998 Annual Conference of the Australasian Evaluation Society to be a humbling experience.

Some of the interesting papers presented were:

• Developing a Performance Management Framework
• Benchmarking and the Role of Performance Measures
• A Critical Guide to Developing organisational indicator systems indicating: What, For whom, How and Why?
• If we could agree on the Questions I’d give you the Answers

The paper I presented (which was written with Vivien Twyford) on Evaluating Community Consultation generated genuine interest and clearly struck a chord with professionals who are engaged or interested in this work. It seems that many people are involved, one way or another, in community consultation and have wondered how the effectiveness of consultation can be measured, or assessed. The paper also stimulated interest around the definition of community consultation and the different methods and tools that can be used to involve the public in decision-making.

We have been invited to present to the NSW Regional Evaluation Group in April 1999 to more fully explore the evaluation framework we have developed. We will also be discussing ways in which the AES can interact with the newly formed Australasian Chapter of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2).

The aim of the AES is to improve the theory, practice and use of evaluation through:

• establishing and promoting ethics and standards in evaluation practice
• providing forums for the discussion of ideas including society publications, seminars and conferences
• linking members who have similar evaluation interests
• providing education and training in matters related to evaluation
• recognising outstanding contributions to the theory/practice of evaluation
• acting as an advocate for evaluation

If you are interested in evaluation you may like to explore the AES Website at http://www.parklane.com.au/aes/index.html. The bank of research and evaluation material on EVALNET is particularly valuable.

As always, the best part of the conference was meeting new people and finding out who is doing what. The worst part – well I had to fly down to Melbourne right in the middle of a holiday in Queensland. A case of perfect one day ...... drizzling the next!!

Twyford Consulting Newsletter December 1998