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The Committee 4 Rochester made a unanimous decision to become an incorporated association at a meeting last week.

C4R project officer Graeme Robertson said the group decided to make the association a legal entity which would protect individuals in the group against being sued if legal action was to take place for any C4R-related matter.

He said it would also be beneficial when applying for grants as the group could have its own bank account.

Mr Robertson said becoming an incorporated entity was a big step for the group and the next was to elect office bearers.

Graeme Nelson nominated Alan Darbyshire for the position of secretary, which was agreed by all members.

Chair Peter Anderson said Mr Darbyshire was the right man for the job as he put in a lot of work investigating the rules and regulations about the incorporation status.

Mr Robertson said other office bearers would be elected at the next meeting.

He said everyone on the committee would have to register an expression of interest to continue to be part of the group, which would also be open to the community members.

Mr Robertson said C4R offered free membership and a general set of rules was not attached to C4 committees.

‘‘It’s a community committee open to everyone and anyone,’’ he said.

The group also looked at results from a recent community survey and a leading theme was that people wanted to see more business and retail in Rochester and major community events.

Mr Robertson said he was assisting community organisations to get projects off the ground.

He said C4R was seeking funding from a philanthropic foundation for the refurbishment of the external structure of the historical society building.

To contact Mr Robertson, phone 0428534928.