all in the name...

...and while the Tavern is a classic example of a timber Queenslander country pub the town's name has much more exotic connections.

Founded in 1921 as a 'soldier settlement' (packages of land throughout rural Australia allocated to returning soldiers after both World Wars) many of the streets are named after high ranking soldiers from those campaigns.
The name El Arish is from the Egyptian city of Arish, the capital of North Sinai and the largest city on the Sinai Peninsula. Here the Australian Light Horse saw action in 1916 and later developed the area as a major supply base.
The pub faces Ryrie Street, named for Granville Ryrie appointed Brigadier General of the 2nd Light Horse and there is a fine brass etching  depicting Ryrie (The Old Brig) on his horse 'Plain Bill'. (extra photo)

Units of the Australian light horse still exist today...'riding' armoured vehicles rather than the 'Walers' (a combination of  breeds brought to the Australian colonies in the 19th century.)
'Official historian, H. S. Gullet, described them as, "in body and spirit the true product of the Australian countryside … the very flower of their race".'
Mounted on the strong and hardy Waler and wearing the Australian 'slouch' hat adorned with an emu feather plume they must have been an impressive and magical sight to behold.
Today I toasted them with a 'coldie' at the pub.

https://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/lhplumes/feathers/