Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes

[VladTepes]

Anyone heard of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes?
I just found out my grandfather was a member.

My grandmother died last year and the family were sorting through her things, and came across an old port.
Inside was various paperwork, membership cards, rule books etc, as well as ceremonial accoutrements (medals and associated regalia) belonging to my grandfather. These date from the 1950s's.


And another thing I just found out.. my grandfathers real first name was Desmond.  We'd always known him by 'George' which is actually his second name. 


The RAOB.  Interesting stuff.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Antediluvian_Order_of_Buffaloes

https://raobglqgle.org.au/

http://www.stichtingargus.nl/vrijmetselarij/raob_en.html

[Mister Fishfinger]

Well you learn something every day. I had never heard of these guys.

[Daytona]

There's a lodge in my village,,they are a secretive bunch,,,if you ask them what it's about or what do you actually do they say " you'll have to join to find out:?

[Andre]

There's a lodge in my village,,they are a secretive bunch,,,if you ask them what it's about or what do you actually do they say " you'll have to join to find out:?

Because they copied some of Freemasonry.

[VladTepes]

Copied? Not directly, though the 'structure' seems to have been borrowed from them. . Back in the late 1800s and through to the 1960s (when membership numbers had declined markedly) there were quite a large number of "secret societies".  What the generally had in common was social events for members (male bonding), support of fellow members when in need, and raising money for charity.  Their low profile was maintained  (perhaps to the detriment of membership numbers) by their charitable fund raising efforts being donated 'anonymously'.

The Buffs are a less secretive 'secret society' than the Freemasons.

It's been suggested that a large reason for the popularity of such lodges, here in Australia at least, was that as a social club it was a way to get around the legislated 6pm closing time of pubs back in the day.     Now that pubs are open most of the time, might be less incentive on that particular front.

[Irish in Oz]

You need to know the handshake.
There are Freemasons in my family, but I still talk to them.

[Mister Fishfinger]

I read on the Wikipedia page that they strictly ban all discussion of religion and politics at their meetings.

That might have increased their membership in the UK over the last couple of years... 

[Kiwifruit]

Fishy we have a secret society here and its called 'The Government' !!

[Taniwha]

My Grandfather was a Buff, and a Mason. Rose to the top of both. He was instrumental in bringing the buffs to Waiouru.
He reckoned it was great fun. But mostly "a bunch of old bastards escaping the wives, swapping war stories and arranging fishing/golfing/bowling trips, all while totally sozzled"

When he died, there was boxes of medals, aprons, robes, swords, gloves, and certificates to sort thru and return to the various societies he belonged to.

[Globalrider]

Well you know what they used to say/sing!!...
Show me a home where the Buffalo roam
And I'll show you a house full of shit!!! 

[VladTepes]

I just found out the CBD Melbourne lodge sold their clubhouse to some rich developer guy for $6.25million

They are moving to the suburbs and any money (should be a lot) not needed for a new clubhouse will find its way to charity ! 

Sadly only 50 active members of that particular lodge.

[grog]

my dad was in oddfellows, often wondered what they did, he took secret to his grave. went every fortnight, never ever divulged info. i reckon they mustve had the best looking stripper in the world. 

[sioux zookeeper]

'Hay man, my dad was a Buffalo,me's still got his membership certificate somewhere,,but  me's so old,my dad joined in the 30's(or the 1930's as our overseas friends might refer to them)

[Blubber]

my dad was in oddfellows, often wondered what they did, he took secret to his grave. went every fortnight, never ever divulged info. i reckon they mustve had the best looking stripper in the world. 

We too have a odd follows lodge in our town. ( Ijmuiden,  the Netherlands)  They have the occasionally open house / yard sale to hint their activities. I have been told that they will not detail their activities to non members to prevent disappointment after joining. Kinda like the scientology flow... I think. Not saying the buffaloes are like that...Just the odd fellows

[VladTepes]

Freemasons, Buffaloes, Oddfellows.
Common thread between all - men's social clubs with a focus "service" i.e giving rather than receiving.
Focus on being good people, and supporting one another.
Charity work with proceeds being donated anonymously. 
May also have been some drinking involved