Life Members – John Hendry & Mark Lanza
At the 2026 ‘Australia Day on the Granite Belt’ awards ceremony, we had the honour of presenting our first life member from 2024, John Hendry, followed by 2025’s nomination, Mark Lanza.
See below President Victor Johnstone’s speech.
As President of the Stanthorpe Sports Association, it is a real honour to stand here today to recognise two individuals whose dedication to sport in our region has been nothing short of incredible.
Today, we proudly present Life Memberships to John Hendry and Mark Lanza.
John Hendry has been part of the Stanthorpe Sports Association since its very beginning in 1996. Over nearly 26 years of direct and indirect involvement — and a lifetime of advocacy for community sport — John has given his time, leadership and determination to ensure local sport continues to grow and thrive.
John has served this Association as both President and Vice President across many years, including most recently in his retirement. He has been a steady and respected voice through periods of great progress and through more challenging times, always guided by what was best for the Association, our clubs, and our community.
John’s involvement is visible across our sporting facilities — from helping transform Sheehan Oval into a true multi-sport venue, to major upgrades at C.F. White Oval, including lighting improvements and the recent junior clubhouse redevelopment, which John personally project-managed to ensure grant funding from multiple organisations was fully utilised. He has also been a tireless advocate for the Association and its member clubs during complex lease negotiations, particularly for cricket and rugby league.
It is therefore especially fitting that today we recognise our very first Life Member, nominated in 2024 -John Hendry.
We are also incredibly proud to recognise Mark Lanza for his outstanding service to sport in our region.
Mark has been an extremely active member of the Stanthorpe Sports Association for well over 20 years, hardly missing meetings, always advocating for what’s best for not only the sports he represents, but sport in our community as a whole . His commitment to both junior and senior sport is remarkable, and his involvement spans junior and senior cricket, junior and senior soccer, and rugby league.
Mark consistently goes above and beyond what is required. For more than two decades, he has given his time, energy and expertise to improving sporting facilities — particularly at C.F. White Oval — always with the aim of benefiting the entire community. His dedication, work ethic and passion for grassroots sport have made a lasting impact across multiple codes and generations of players.
What truly sets Mark apart is his unwavering reliability and hands-on approach. He is someone who can always be counted on — whether it is behind the scenes, on working bees, supporting clubs, or stepping in wherever help is needed. Mark’s contribution is often quiet and unassuming, but its impact is significant and deeply appreciated by all who have worked alongside him.
Both John and Mark embody the values of the Stanthorpe Sports Association: service, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to community sport. Their contributions have shaped not just facilities and clubs, but the sporting culture of our region.
John and Mark, on behalf of the Stanthorpe Sports Association and the wider community, thank you. These Life Memberships are richly deserved.
Please join me in congratulating John Hendry and Mark Lanza
