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 operate in the state of Victoria are: •
Freemasons, including
United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory •
Knights of the Southern Cross •
Independent Order of Rechabites ==Canada ==