WHEN the Veterans Support and Advocacy Service Australia announced earlier this year it would be closing its doors for good, a few determined Warwick ex-servicemen and women weren't going to leave their mates without any support to lean on.

Taking the initiative, the diggers of the Southern Downs banded together out of the ashes of VSASA to form the Southern Downs Ex-Services Association Queensland Incorporated, which will come into effect from July 1.

This new, standalone organisation was formed to fill a need for ex-servicemen and women in the region.

Secretary Barry Kelly said VSASA had folded due to a lack of personnel left to run it.

"But here on the Southern Downs, we're in a fairly unique position,” he said.

"We have 84 members and every single one of them want to remain involved.

"The difference with the new organisation, is that we're opening our doors and our arms to all ex-emergency services personnel as well.

"We might have spent a year in a war zone, but these people go through the trauma day in, day out and deserve to be here.

"There's not much else in Warwick for them.”

SDESAQI media spokesman John Telfer said the organisation's clubhouse and museum on Wood St had always been a social centre more than anything else.

"It's a bit like a drop-in centre,” he said.

"It's always been about mates supporting mates. We're all here if somebody needs a chat.

"Our members know when we're open and there's always someone here.”

Mr Telfer said the the clubhouse and the mateship had saved a few men.

"It gave them something else to focus on,” he said.

"There used to be some really heavy drinkers. But the club gave them something else to focus on.

"We have two WWII veterans who come here every Friday afternoon, David Watt and Phil Agnew.

"They absolutely love it and are always waiting to be picked up and brought down.”

To find out more phone 46615099.