A GROUP of veterans who share a love of coffee and keeping active are looking for others like them to join the Grumpy Old Men Coffee Club.
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The group formed four years ago as part of the Department of Veteran Affairs' heart health program, which provides free physical training and health advice to participants.
The group continued on as a social club, meeting regularly for coffee at cafe Elaine's on Gordan and at Cleveland's Goodlife Health Club for workouts.
A Grumpy Old Men Coffee Club spokesman said new members could join to improve their health.
"People may think there is nothing special, a group of old vets getting together to exercise and enjoy each other's company, but they would be wrong," the spokesman said.
"They are a couple of hundred years of military experience in our group."
Grumpy Old Men's Coffee Club founding member John Mulholland said members were always looking out for each other.
If a veteran needed help with everyday errands, yard-tidying or moving homes, others could usually be found to pitch in.
"By getting together, not only do we socialise ... but we help each other out," Mr Mulholland said.
Mr Mulholland, who was deployed to Rhodesia while Robert Mugabe was in power, said veterans could experience significant health issues.
Exposure to gunfire could cause permanent hearing loss and tinnitus, with skin cancers from too much sun and and aches from old injuries also common.
Mr Mulholland said veterans from the navy, air force, army and the national service were all members.
Other Grumpy Old Men Coffee Club members had been deployed to places like Vietnam, Rwanda and East Timor during service, serving as sailors, soldiers, maintenance staff, medics and more.
The group not only enjoyed cafe breakfasts on birthdays but also raised money for organisations like Veterans Off the Streets and the Australian Special Air Services Queensland Association Fund.
Grumpy Old Men Coffee Club meets at cafe Elaine's on Gordon on Tuesday and Friday mornings from about 8.30am.
Elaine's on Gordon is at 1/22 Bainbridge Street. Phone the cafe on 3461 7666.
