Actually tail wheel you had it mostly right.
The General Aviation Association (GAA) was a widely recognised organisation and an effective voice for the industry but like all bodies it was torn apart and eventually closed down. Around that era the Metal Trades Industry Association (MTIA) represented the Aero Clubs. As an industry from the pilots side we could talk to the two bodies and get some sense about the best for the future. We often disagreed but we also agreed many things and representation to government actually occurred jointly on many fronts.
The Regional Airlines Association (RAA) was formed to look after the third level airlines and it moved away form GAA, it too had problems with the second level carriers taking them over and moving all into the domestic corporate structure.
Governments basically dealt with them directly and the organisation both lost influence and members.
On the Industrial front we had all the local chambers of 'horror' take over and run the ideology debate instead of considering the capital intensive industry that we are.
Now the Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) has expanded from the former airline to attempt to provide an industry voice of influence (not industrial).
All power to them for that and many operator should join up and provide strength to the unique one voice that is needed as against the plethora of one man bands that we have had in the past.
Sorry i forgot AOPA but since the great australian's involvement it has never really recovered from when Peter P was the President and it had some respect.
Lawrie Cox
Australain Federation of Air Pilots