The French Government awarded her a Médaille d'Argent de la Réconnaissance Française or silver Medal of French Gratitude for her philanthropic work supporting the war efforts in France during World War I. Hetherington was born in the Dalby district to Susan Wilkinson and George Phillip Phillips.

She grew up in Dalby, until she moved with her family to North Ipswich where she attended school.

She married John William Hetherington in Ipswich.

[1] During World War I, Hetherington was president of the Kangaroo Branch of the Red Cross.

[2][3] In 1918 she was awarded the Médaille d'Argent de la Réconnaissance Française, or the silver Medal of French Gratitude for this work.