Cecil Learmonth came to Ultima from Woodstock, west of Bendigo, near the Loddon River. His father had brought a 1276 acre Mallee wheat farm 7 miles west of Ultima. He and his brother drove up in horse and gig and camped somewhere between Meatian and Ultima, then continued on next morning, and while going through Ultima, noticed the Wine Saloon building had just burnt down that night in January.