At 91 and 85 respectively, Bob Brown and Brian Melville show no signs of slowing down.
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And the former "old salts" wouldn't have it any other way.
The pair are among a group of around a dozen regular participants from the Keith Payne VC Veteran's Benefit Group who meet each Friday morning for Operation Walk to Talk.
Now back underway after missing a few months of activity like many groups during the COVID-19 lockdown, the pair "love" their regular Friday morning walks.
And they certainly show up some of the younger members of the group, always out in front leading the bunch as they complete a number of laps of a designated course in and around Harry Sawkins Park in Nowra.
"Us young fellas go alright," Bob said.
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"Being out in front you get the best seat when you get back," Brian laughed.
They laugh that the "younger" members of the group "can't keep up with them".
"We go alright," Bob said.
"It's a walk and I required the walk and enjoy it and the friendship."
"I enjoy the walk, it gets me out of bed a bit earlier than usual," Brian said.
"Oh and don't forget the coffee afterwards," Bob chimes in.
But both agree the most important thing is the camaraderie they get from the event.
I enjoy the walk and chatting to the younger guys keeps you young.
- Shoalhaven veteran Bob Brown
"It's great to get together, tell a few lies and a few yarns," Brian said.
Both Royal Australian Navy veterans, Bob served 25 years, working in avionics, finishing as a Warrant Officer, while Brian completed 20 years service, was an aircraft handler, and ended as a Chief Petty Officer.
Both spent plenty of time at HMAS Albatross, while Bob saw active war service in the Malayan Emergency, Indonesian Malaysian Confrontation - Borneo, and Brian in the Indonesian Malaysian Confrontation - Borneo and Vietnam.
Both are proud to be members of the Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group, working for the betterment of veterans.
"It's focused on veterans and their needs and that is important and needed," Bob said.
"It's focused on vets of all ages," Brian said.
"I feel it fills a hole that was lacking," Bob said.
Being out in front you get the best seat when you get back.
- Shoalhaven veteran Brian Melville
"It's more focused on vets' needs."
"Young and old," Brian said.
"And there are a lot of issues," Bob said. "We see it. We mix with them every day, it's good."
Each week the walk attracts a dozen-plus participants.
"We also do a lot of reminiscing," Bob said.
"I enjoy talking to all the different people and chatting to the younger guys keeps you young."
"Meeting other people and talking is great," Brian adds.
The Keith Payne VC Veteran's Benefit Group meets each Friday in front of the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, stepping off at precisely 0730 (7.30am for non-military types) and lasts for around half an hour, followed by an "all-important" coffee and a chat.
While it is primarily a group for Shoalhaven-based veterans, both current and former, the walks are also open to all members of the public, male and female.
The walk is one of a number of activities the Keith Payne VC Veteran's Benefit Group is undertaking.
It is the governing body of the Defence Surf Therapy Program is the brainchild of former big wave professional surfer and Gerringong Surf School owner, Rusty Moran, who has partnered with former Gerringong RSL sub-branch president and former army officer Glenn Kolomeitz.
Recently the Department of Veterans Affairs awarded the program a $280,686 grant under the 2019-20 Supporting Younger Veterans (SYV) grants program.
For more details on the walk or the Keith Payne VC Veteran's Benefit Group contact Rick Meehan on 0428 443361.