He enrolled in the University of Adelaide, graduating in 1950 with an honours degree in history and political science and became a schoolteacher.
[1] A Labor party member, Hetherington sought pre-selection for the Senate in 1974 and again in 1975, both times failing to be elected because of his position on the ticket.
[2] While in parliament he advocated for mental health services and women's refuges for those suffering domestic violence.
[1] In 1987 he introduced a private member's bill into the council to legalise homosexuality, which was narrowly defeated.
[2] After politics, he continued his support for people with mental illness, becoming first a committee member and later president of the Schizophrenia Fellowship in Western Australia.