Frankston RSL president and Vietnam veteran Brent Clyne, and young veterans' liaison officer and veteran Peter Erdman, say it is important that this generation does not repeat the mistakes made when Vietnam veterans returned from war and did not receive the specialised support they needed.

It's hoped the centre will help men and women, who have served in countries such as Afghanistan, East Timor and Iraq, to reconnect with social life.

"When they are discharged [some] isolate themselves in their homes. They don't have that link to the RSL like historically their fathers, who served in Vietnam, did. They end up with alcohol and drug problems and don't know where to turn for help," Mr Erdman said.

The centre, which would be established outside the RSL near the bowling club, would be an alcohol-free zone for veterans who had served post-1975.

Although counselling, advocacy and other welfare services would be available, the centre would provide a relaxing space for veterans and their families to have coffee, access computers, take lessons or watch the footy. They had even planned pamper days for the wives of servicemen.

"They can come to us and we will bring whatever services they need into the centre," Mr Erdman said. "We want it to be a clean slate, [we'll] let the veterans and their families come to us and tell us what they need so we can fully support and facilitate them."

Young veterans from the Frankston area have already asked when the centre will open. Mr Erdman said they could be involved from the beginning by volunteering time and services towards getting the centre up and running.

Bunnings Warehouse has offered to contribute materials for the project and Mr Erdman's son Kyal, who is studying architecture at Monash University, has volunteered his time to work with architects from TM Design, who have also donated their services.

The group successfully applied for a $73,000 drop-in centre grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs after coming up with the idea 18 months ago.