Fraternities or lodges were an important part of Australian society in the 19th and the first half of the 20th century. After the Second World War, they were gradually replaced by "
service clubs", such as
Lions,
Apex and
Rotary. By the end of the 20th century, most fraternities had been wound up except for the
Freemasons and a few lodges of the
Buffaloes. Many fraternities also offered insurance to their members and as membership declined, these operations were either combined with other non profit insurance companies or sold with the proceeds being distributed to charitable causes.
The reasons for their decline probably have something to do with their male only membership, generational change and bemusement at secretive rites and rituals. All fraternities had different rules and rites, but they all appear to have been complex. The service clubs that succeeded the fraternities also operated as social networks and did fairly similar charitable work. No general history has been written, but some of the many lodges that operated in the state of Victoria were:
^Elks lodges in the Philippines and the Canal Zone were founded while those areas were United States territories and/or possessions. Those lodges are still in operation and recognized by the Grand Lodge. United States citizenship is still required for membership in those lodges.
External links
Survey of Secret Societies and Museum of Fraternal Lithographs Survey of history and ritual covering diverse organizations including Freemasonry, and groups that have imitated Masonry such as the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Improved Order of Red Men, Knights of the Golden Eagle, Knights of the Maccabees, B'nai B'rith, Orange Order, Royal Black Preceptory, Hibernians, Greek Letter Fraternities, etc. and so-called magical fraternities such as Ordo Templi Orientis and Aurum Solis.