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.
The reasons for their decline probably have something to do with their male only membership, generational change and bemusement at secretive rites and rituals.
The service clubs that succeeded the fraternities also operated as social networks and did fairly similar charitable work.