Henry Judkins was born in Buckinghamshire, England on the 6th September 1836 and christened at Aylesbury on 26th December in the same year. He was one of 12 children to William and Sarah (nee Seamons) Judkins.

He married Eliza Ward on 13thSeptember 1858 at Aylesbury. Along with two of his brothers Charles and George he was among the early pioneers of Victoria. Henry and Eliza arrived in Melbourne, Australia aboard the Mermaid on 24th December 1858.

He was a school teacher in the Ballarat district. Among the settlements he taught at were: Franklinford, Tourello (gazetted as head teacher), Coghills Creek, Carisbrook and Maryborough.

He died at Caulfield on 14th April 1929 and is buried with his wife at  the Coghills Creek Cemetery.

From Edgar Morrison's Book - Early Days in Loddon Valley

At that period the Aboriginal Station had been abandoned for nearly eight years Mr Parker having removed to his new homestead on the western slope of Mount Franklin, in 1851.

....................... After the Parkers vacated their old home it was taken over by Mr Henry Judkins, and used by him as a private school for the growing number of white children springing up in the neighborhood. Some of these in turn became the parents of some of the present day residents. .................... It was finally purchased by Mr Judkins in 1868.

From John S Troup's Book - A Brief History of Coghill's Creek School

Head Teacher 1888 - 1891

As there was no school residence, Head Teacher Henry Judkins erected his own house. When, in 1891, he transferred to a new school, he offered his house for sale to the Department.

After inspection and approval by the Department officials, £225 was offered for the house and the sale was completed. A description of the house is contained in the following letter :

15th June 1891

The Secretary, Education Department

Sir,

I have the honour to inform you that having been appointed to the Mitcham School, my cottage at Coghill's Creek is for sale and I beg respectfully to offer it to you as it is most suitable for a teachers residence.

It is a six (6) roomed house built of pine with wide verandah on three sides and iron roof. Partitions double lined with pine covered  with canvas and papered with the exception of the two back rooms which are lined with pine and varnished. Ceilings of pine. The rafters are covered with pine, upon which the iron is placed, making the house cool in summer. The foundation is strong and the building placed well off the ground.

There is spouting round the whole of the building conveying the water into two (2) large tanks placed upon brick foundations. It has been built about 2 and a half years and will not need repairs for years.

It is a really well and faithfully built, compact dwelling. There is also a nearby new stable and buggy house. The land consists of nearly half an acre, paling fenced. Altogether it is a most desirable property as it adjoins the State School property, and if purchased by you, would very much improve the school property which is so very small. The property cost me £342 to build and I respectfully offer it to you for the sum of £250. It would command a rental from £20 to £26 per annum, and as it is not possible for a teacher to get a residence here, it would prove a great acquisition to you Department.

I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your Most Obediant Servant,

Henry Judkins

MR HENRY JUDKINS

One of the early pioneers of Victoria, Mr Henry Judkins passed quietly away at his home in Narong Road, Caulfield on Sunday last, at the age of 92 years. Mr Judkins arrived in Port Phillip Bay with his young wife in the ship Mermaid in 1858. In early years and until the time of his retirement he was connected with the Education Department. For several years he was teaching in the Ballarat district. He was actively associated with the Methodist church and did much in those early years to establish the work. On Tuesday he was laid to rest in the family grave in the Coghills Creek cemetery.