Thomas Plunkett | |
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Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Albert |
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In office 17 May 1888 – 21 March 1896 |
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Preceded by | New seat |
Succeeded by | Robert Collins |
In office 18 March 1899 – 5 February 1908 |
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Preceded by | Robert Collins |
Succeeded by | John Appel |
Personal details | |
Born |
Thomas Plunkett April 1840 Arrigal, County Meath, Ireland |
Died | 2 September 1913 (aged 73) Sandgate, Queensland, Australia |
Resting place | Tambourine Cemetery |
Nationality | Irish Australian |
Political party | Opposition |
Other political affiliations |
Ministerial |
Spouse(s) | Maria Ryan (m.1866 d.1939) |
Relations | Thomas Flood Plunkett (son) |
Occupation | Farmer |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Thomas Plunkett (April 1840 – 2 September 1913) was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.
Plunkett was born in Arrigal, County Meath, the son of John Plunkett and his wife Catherine (née Flood). He was educated privately and at the local school before sailing to Queensland aboard the Fiery Star in 1863. In 1866 he selected farmland which he named "Waterford" at Logan. In 1870 he then acquired land at Tamborine where he engaged in and 2000 acres at Kerry and Logan Village where he took up dairy farming and crop growing. Later on he established a general store in the area.
On 2 May 1866 Plunkett married Maria Ryan (died 1939) at St Stephen's Cathedral in Brisbane and together had four sons and four daughters. He died at the residence of one of his daughters at Sandgate and his body was taken to South Brisbane railway station to be transported to Logan Village and later, the Tambourine Cemetery.
Plunkett won the new seat of Albert at the 1888 Queensland colonial election, but was defeated by Robert Collins in 1896. He regained the seat three years later and held it until he retired from politics in 1908.
Plunkett was a Member of the Colonists' Anti-Convention Bill League and campaigned vigorously against federation. His son, Thomas Flood Plunkett, was a long serving member of the Queensland Parliament having represented the seats of Albert and Darlington.