Thomas Henry Fitzgerald (1 December 1824 – 10 November 1888) was an Irish pioneer in sugar cane farming in the early days of the colony of Queensland, Australia.

Over a varied and interesting life, Fitzgerald was a surveyor, sugar cane farmer, Superintendent, Colonial Treasurer and pioneer.

Fitzgerald qualified as an engineer, but like many of his compatriots of the time, he left Ireland to seek fortune elsewhere (see Irish diaspora).

[6] His father-in-law, James Wilson, had previously represented the Wanganui and Rangitikei electorate from October 1856 to August 1857 on the Provincial Council.

[8][4] At its inaugural meeting on 23 April 1859, the Hawke's Bay provincial council unanimously elected Fitzgerald as the province's first Superintendent, a role he held until March 1861, when he resigned.

[9] Fitzgerald's selection surprised many observers, who had expected a close contest between John Chilton Lambton Carter and Alfred Newman.

He settled in Brisbane and, through his work, saw early experiments in growing sugar cane in Queensland's sub-tropical climate.

Fitzgerald was appointed Colonial Treasurer in November 1868 in the government of Charles Lilley, a post he held for three months until he resigned from that role.

One of his agendas through his term was to legislate for the introduction of cheap South Sea Islander indentured labour for the cane fields (many of were blackbirded).

Fitzgerald had a direct financial interest in this: times were difficult in the industry and cheap labour was seen as an answer to the many problems in founding sugar cane plantations.

He and his fellow farmers in the region experienced further difficulties in the following years, mainly from torrential rains that brought about widespread cane rust.

Weather conditions (flooding in particular) made farming difficult, sugar prices were not good (competition against bigger milling operations did not make this easier) and ultimately managing the diseases that came with new settlements in sub-tropical regions proved too much for Fitzgerald.

The rush that ensued, particularly encouraged by the successful methods of Fitzgerald's Alexandra mill, established an entire industry and contributed to the growth of a strong economy in North Queensland.

However, a Russian ship bound for Geraldton in Western Australia arrived at the port to collect a load of Jarrah wood.