Hi Gwen
They were brothers by the looks of it.
John Thomas YATES { b Victoria} m Kath HAINTZ { B Victoria} 1900 # 4557R
Joseph Yates { B Talbot} m Mary Ann BELL { b Talbot} 1892 # 3223

John Thomas YATES b 1868 Mt Prospect - Charles YATES and Sarah Anne FLETCHER # 11176

Joseph YATES b 1864 BULL - Charles YATES and Sarah Anne FLETCHER # 3072

They had 9 brothers and sisters

Charles YATES m Sarah Ann FLETCHER 1862 # 2388
Sarah YATES d 1914 aged 73 Kingston - John FLETCHER and Sarah BOYD # 10317

Joseph YATES d 1917 aged 53 Waubra - Charles YATES and Sarah Ann FLETCHER # 10702
Mary YATES d 1930 aged 66 Waubra- John BELL and Jane COLLINS # 15885

John Thomas YATES d 1940 aged 72 Mt Prospect - Charles YATES and Sarah Ann FLETCHER # 21928
Katherine YATES d 1936 aged 62 Mt Prospect- Henry Konrad HAINTZ and Kina KAOUPE # 19804

Let me know if you want any more info on siblings or children etc.
Regards
Alison