Timothy and Rachael Ciesiolka open Gun Pit coffee at Bouldercombe

A Central Queensland couple have created a new hub for a small Rockhampton community while giving back to veterans. SEE THE VIDEO

With Australian flags flying proudly on their fence line, two retired veterans have created a community hub in one of Rockhampton's rural communities.

Timothy and Rachael Ciesiolka, both air force veterans, began running Gun Pit coffee last year from their cottage at Bouldercombe.

The couple make their coffee with Warfighter Coffee – Brewed Therapy beans which are produced by a fellow veteran and by doing so, give back to veteran programs.

Mr Ciesiolka said some days they get more than a dozen people who stop at their little coffee shop.

Timothy and Rachael Ciesiolka, both air force veterans, began running Gun Pit coffee last year from their cottage at Bouldercombe.

“It’s become a community hub, we have 13 people some days having coffee,” he said.

“Bouldercombe is not a pub that’s not open, it’s got a service station, a school, a chemist and now coffee.

“People can come get a coffee in the morning, tradies in the morning, anyone can come get a coffee … it’s a hobby for us, only a few hours in the morning, four hours a day, and gives us time to do stuff during the day and on weekends.”

Mr Ciesiolka started with just one flag but recently added more to his fence line – but the Australian flag won’t be the only one they fly in future.

“Any day you can put up a flag, whether it’s a Greek flag, Italian flag, whatever flag you want, but we choose the Australian flag because we’re both Australian,” he said.

“We’ve got Easter flags coming, Anzac Day Lest We Forget flags are coming, and if there’s any other days we can think of we can get flags for we’ll put those up as well.”

Timothy and Rachael Ciesiolka, both air force veterans, began running Gun Pit coffee last year from their cottage at Bouldercombe.

Ned Cakovan and Allison Johnson, both from Bouldercombe, said they love seeing the flags flying proudly in the town.

“Tim and Rachael are ex serving members and they’re both proud of that and their coffee shop,” Ms Johnson said.

“They look after the fireys, the ambos and the police and the vets, and they buy their coffee from an ex-vet and part of their proceeds go to veteran organisations.”