Lads Society is an far-right white nationalist extremist group founded by several former members of the United Patriots Front ( UPF ) in late 2017 , with club houses in Sydney and Melbourne . The Lads Society came to national prominence after it staged a rally in St Kilda , Victoria , targeting the local African Australian community . Attendees were seen making the Nazi salute and one was photographed brandishing an SS helmet . In 2017 , the group ’s leader Thomas Sewell approached the perpetrator of the Christchurch mosque shootings , Brenton Harrison Tarrant , asking him to join the Lads Society , but Tarrant refused . The group ’s members and allies attempted to infiltrate the Young Nationals in NSW , and engaged in branch stacking at the May 2018 conference . Lads Society members attained leadership positions in the Young Nationals , but were later forced out of the party
Christchurch mosque shootings
Christchurch mosque shootings
Lads Society