Messenger has a long involvement in the arts, having published works for the Arts Law Centre of Australia and completed a degree in Arts Management at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

"I worked for a local theatre company, music promoter and art auctioneer in Perth before I decided to do my law degree," said Messenger. "I always wanted to do work for artists and have a great client base at Swaab, which includes Regional Arts NSW."

Based in Sydney, Regional Arts NSW represents a state-wide network of regional arts boards in the areas of advocacy, capacity building, communications and support.