Louise Miller-Frost (Boothby, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to recognise the passing of a Vietnam veteran and veterans advocate James William Hignett OAM, known to all as Bill. Bill was conscripted in 1970, aged 20, and he served 469 days of service with the 86th Transport Platoon, returning to Australia in 1972. I met Bill in his role as the president of the Plympton Glenelg RSL Sub Branch. Bill was a fierce advocate for his communities, in his profession as a teacher and educator, in his passion for Indigenous education, in his work as a union organiser for the Australian Education Union and in his work as a veterans advocate. Bill was one of the driving forces behind the Plympton Veterans Centre, and Veteran Wellbeing Centre at Repat hospital, and the veterans hubs at Mount Gambier, Coonawarra/Penola and Millicent. He was also a driving force behind the establishment of the Kaurna Plains School. He worked to get recognition for Aboriginal veterans, and he sat on the board of Reconciliation SA. Bill was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 2014 and an Anzac of the Year award in 2023. Bill made a difference to his communities, and he will be missed. He was also a great bloke to have a drink and a chat with, always very generous with his time and his stories. Vale, Bill Hignett. May he rest in peace.