Vietnam War digger and veterans advocate Bill Hignett OAM died on Sunday at the age of 75.


Mr Hignett was the founder of the Plympton Veterans’ Centre in suburban Adelaide and the new veterans’ hubs being established at the RSLs at Mount Gambier, Millicent and Coonawarra/Penola.


He spent many years caring for the welfare of veterans and building services to support them.


According to his army record, Mr Hignett was born at Millicent on March 3, 1949.


He was called up for National Service just after his 20th birthday and, after training, arrived in Vietnam on October 8, 1970.


Private Hignett was posted to the 86 Transport Platoon of the Royal Australian Army Service Corps.


He departed Vietnam after 469 days of service on January 19, 1972 and returned to South Australia and a successful career as a teacher and as an official with the Australian Education Union.


Along with other service personnel, Mr Hignett’s name is listed on the honour board in the foyer of the Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre.


His OAM citation recognised his service to Reconciliation SA and the establishment of the Kaurna Plains School in Adelaide.