Australia\u2019s best-known neo-Nazi was training at a boxing gym a short drive from the multimillion-dollar mansion he is renting \u2014 free of charge \u2014 in Melbourne\u2019s northern green wedge.<\/p>\n
Thomas Sewell, whose organisation the National Socialist Network was last month listed as a hate group by the Albanese government, was \u201ca casual member who had attended adult evening classes over the past couple of months\u201d, according to Nic Tsioulos, the owner of Club Titans in Diamond Creek.<\/p>\n
Mr Tsioulos, a long-time beloved member of the community, did not conduct a police check before allowing Sewell to join. Most community gyms don\u2019t, he says.<\/p>\n
But it has proven costly.<\/p>\n
After news of Sewell\u2019s attendance at the gym broke \u2014 thanks in part to a tip-off from a member of the public \u2014 Mr Tsioulos was temporarily suspended by Boxing Victoria while it looks into the matter.<\/p>\n
In a lengthy post on social media, he said Sewell \u201ckept to (himself) and left after class\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was little interaction. There was nothing in (his) conduct at the gym that raised concerns at the time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cLike many others in our community, we were shocked when this information came to light.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs soon as these concerns were brought to our attention, we immediately verified the information and banned this individual from the gym.\u201d<\/p>\n
An ABC News article named Mr Tsioulos and the Diamond Creek gym he owns with his wife. The article quoted Boxing Victoria, which released a statement following Mr Tsioulos\u2019 interim suspension.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing enquiries raised by the ABC regarding one of our affiliated clubs, Boxing Victoria is urgently seeking to establish the relevant facts and circumstances,\u201d a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs this process is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further on the specific allegations at this time. <\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, we recognise the seriousness of the matters raised and are treating them accordingly.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoxing Victoria is committed to ensuring that boxing is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming sport for all Australians, regardless of background, race, religion, or identity.<\/p>\n
Do you know more? Email rohan.smith1@news.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe safety, dignity and wellbeing of all participants in our sport \u2014 including athletes, members, officials, and the broader community \u2014 is non-negotiable.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Tsioulos says the article \u201clinked a person associated with hate and extremism to our gym and implied wrongdoing by us\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cTitans is a family business, and for the past 17 years we have been proud to be part of this community. Over that time, we have supported local clubs, given our time to the boxing and taekwondo community, and worked alongside schools, disengaged young people, and special needs groups,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to be absolutely clear: there is no place at Titans for hate, racism, extremism, bullying, discrimination or hate speech. These values do not reflect who we are, and they are not welcome in our gym.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have been deeply hurt by the impact of this article on our gym, our members and our wider community. Those who know us know our values, our character and our longstanding commitment to this community and the kind of place we have always worked to build. <\/p>\n \u201cTo help prevent a situation like this from occurring again, we have introduced additional membership policies and screening procedures.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are grateful for the support, understanding and kindness shown to us by so many in our community, and we remain committed to being a safe, welcoming and positive place for our members.\u201d<\/p>\n News.com.au has reached out to Club Titans and Mr Tsioulos for comment.<\/p>\n On social media, dozens of devoted club members shared supportive messages for Mr Tsioulos.<\/p>\n The news comes after it was revealed in The Age newspaper that Sewell is living in a mansion supplied by a wealthy and sympathetic friend in Hurstbridge<\/a>, an eight-minute drive from Diamond Creek and 50 minutes from the city.<\/p>\n Sewell has reportedly been broadcasting to followers on Telegram from the $2.5 million estate after an \u201cinvestor\u201d who lives in the area offered it to him.<\/p>\n The newspaper reports that the Hurstbridge compound is \u201cintended to operate as a central hub for the neo-Nazi group \u2026 modelled on American white homestead enclaves<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n Sewell is currently challenging the government\u2019s ban on the NSN. <\/p>\n In January, he wrote on Telegram to followers that the NSN \u201cwill be fully disbanded\u201d by January 18. <\/p>\n \u201cIf the laws pass, there will (be) no way to avoid the organisation being banned,\u201d he wrote. In a separate message, he wrote that he is \u201cfundraising in order to challenge the anti-free speech laws in Australia and to prepare a High Court challenge to the recently proposed legislation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe disbandment is being down before the laws take effect to avoid former members of the organisations from being arrested and charged.\u201d<\/p>\n