Dally Messenger III

James held the esteemed positions of Queen's Waterman, barge master to Queen Victoria, and world sculling champion from 1854 to 1857.

Dally Messenger III's ancestry also includes Charles Amos Messenger, his great-grandfather, a sculling champion in Victoria in 1878, Rowing Champion of New Zealand in 1881, and contender for the world sculling championship in 1887.

Notably, Charles Amos established the first boatshed on Sydney Harbour at Balmain, later relocated to Double Bay.

In an article titled "A Pioneer's Reminiscence" written for the 25th-anniversary edition, Editor Messenger reflected on the early struggles faced in establishing Dance Australia.

He noted the immense satisfaction derived from chronicling a pivotal period in Australian dance development and asserted that the magazine, created against all odds, played a crucial role in boosting both the art form itself and the broader performing arts scene in Australia.

As of 2023, Dance Australia is published by Yaffa Publishing of Sydney, which acquired the magazine around 1990.

Dally Messenger III (born 4 February 1938), is the grandson of the renowned Rugby Union and Rugby League footballer, Herbert Henry “Dally” Messenger.

Born in Sydney in February 1938, Dally Messenger III is the son of Dally Messenger Junior and Dorothy (née Davidson).

His upbringing took place in Sydney, with most of his school years spent in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains at St Bernard's College.

Following this, he returned to Sydney and completed his final year of secondary schooling at Marist Brothers, Parramatta.

Subsequently, he worked in banking and wholesale for several years before entering a seminary at the age of twenty-one, beginning his studies for the Catholic priesthood at St Columba's College, Springwood, NSW, and later completing them at St Patrick's College, Manly.

Dally Messenger III earned his degree (Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus (STB)) in 1964, along with teaching qualifications in 1965, before being ordained a priest in 1966.

Renowned historian Christopher Geraghty notes that Messenger was known in the seminary for diplomatically challenging authority.

During the post-Vatican II era of upheaval in the Catholic Church, Messenger emerged as an activist and significant analyst, as documented by historians Michael Parer and Tony Peterson.

They highlight Messenger's disillusionment with the conservatism of church leaders and the perceived lack of Christian values within the seminary and the church's organisational structure.

Messenger took a stand against what he viewed as errors in church teaching and practice, including issues such as the role of church authority and the prohibition on all methods of birth control.

His strong rejection of celibacy for the clergy, which he considered contrary to the church's teachings on human rights, led to his departure from the priesthood after only a year.

Regarding celibacy of the clergy, Messenger's argument was that, as the right to marry was inalienable ("nullo modo emancipari possit"), the law that forbade clergy in the Latin rite to marry was invalid.

Church historian Edmund Campion, referencing Messenger and others, notes the "great wastage of talent" that occurred during this period in the Catholic Church.

Campion provides additional insights into Messenger's initiatives, highlighting the establishment of the New Earth Credit Union aimed at supporting former clergy through low-interest loans.

During the era in question, securing loans for ex-clergy was generally challenging due to their typically limited assets and absence of a credit record, compounded by the absence of severance payments and superannuation.

After leaving the Roman Catholic priesthood in 1968, Messenger became a public critic of the Catholic Church on such issues as birth control, abortion, the place of women, celibacy of the clergy, human rights, and church authority.

Messenger has written for various publications, including The Australian and Nation Review.

Messenger was founder and editor of the magazine Dance Australia.

His books cover diverse topics, including rugby league, children of separated parents, early Melbourne radio, how to design celebrant ceremonies, and the history of celebrancy.

Dally Messenger III (Dally Raymond Messenger) shares a lineage of sporting achievements with his grandfather, Dally Messenger, who was a prominent rugby player.

The Messenger family boasts a legacy of noteworthy rowers and boat-builders, tracing its roots to James Messenger, a renowned Thames boat-builder.

Following his departure from the priesthood, Messenger relocated to Melbourne, where he dedicated six years (1969-1975) to teaching at the Presbyterian Haileybury College.

During this period, he entered into marriage and became the father of three daughters.

From 1974 he gained prominence as a developer and media spokesperson of the fledgling civil celebrant program founded by Australian Attorney-General, Lionel Murphy.

He has also been credited with acknowledged contributions as an author, publisher, editor, historian, and social activist.

In 1976, Messenger achieved a post-graduate diploma in Librarianship (teacher-librarian) from the Melbourne State College, now integrated into the University of Melbourne.

Messenger served as the founding editor and publisher of Dance Australia Magazine, established in 1980 in collaboration with individuals such as Brian McInerney, Marjorie Messenger (children's editor), Dennis Ogden (design artist), Jean Nugent (office management), Russell Naughton (photography), June Joubert (illustrator), Robyn Summers (public relations), Ted Pask (history features), Patricia Laughlin (reviewer and writer), Dawn Dickson (office management), and Campbell Smith (relief editor, art, and design).

Early contributors included writers Blazenka Brysha and André L'Estrange, along with photographer Jeff Busby.

Messenger's contributions to the magazine earned him recognition through two national arts awards.

The citation on the official website commends Dally's vision and determination in establishing the first dance magazine in Australia, stating that Dance Australia, initiated in 1980, continues to offer quality news, advice, reviews, and advertising for the dance industry.

In acknowledgment of Messenger's achievement, tributes were published in Dance Australia by Keith Bain, Noel Pelly, Vicki Fairfax, Alan Brissenden, and Pamela Ruskin.

Vicki Fairfax, in particular, expressed gratitude for Messenger's pioneering efforts, emphasizing the significant impact the magazine had on preserving the history of dance in Australia.

The first, awarded for "Services to Dance," was presented during the inaugural National Dance Awards at the Sydney Opera House in May 1997.

The second accolade came in the form of an Australian Dance Award for "Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education" in 2008, presented at the Arts Centre in Melbourne on June 15.