THE rich history of a tiny North Queensland town was celebrated at the weekend to mark its 100 year anniversary.
El Arish was established as a settlement for soldiers returning from World War I in 1920 under a land ballot system, with the diggers embarking on prolific sugar cane farming which saw the town flourish during the 20th Century.
The town was named in commemoration of the taking of El Arish in Egypt during the war which saw General Sir Harry Chauvel and the 6th Australian Light Horse encircling the town at dawn.
Two Turkish soldiers guarding the post immediately surrendered and El Arish went on to become a strategic watering place and hospital town for Australians on the advance to Damascus.
Today, El Arish is a quaint town with strong community ties to its original settlement, now home to around 350 residents and featuring a school, a pub and butcher shop and a local convenience store and post office.
The village proudly displays its history at the original railway station on Chauvel Street called the 'El Arish Diggers Museum' which houses a unique collection for public viewing.
On Saturday, dignitaries including Governor of Queensland His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey gathered with residents to mark the town's 100 year anniversary.
Mr de Jersey unveiled a plaque to commemorate the milestone alongside the son of Francis Paxton Martin, who was the settlement's original superintendent and named the town.
Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor Mark Nolan said El Arish was a standing tribute to the region's pioneering history.
"It's a town borne by soldiers returning from World War I who went on to build a thriving local community through sugar cane farming," Cr Nolan said.
"It's a proud jewel of our Cassowary Coast region and we congratulate the community members who have ensured that the town's pride and history has been preserved throughout the generations.
"The origin of El Arish's name is little known to Australians, however this commemoration offers an opportunity to share the important story of an Egyptian township which played a pivotal role in saving soldiers during World War I."
Mr Martin said he was proud to be a part of the celebration.
"As a young child it was impressive to know my father had named and started a town," Mr Martin said.
"El Arish has taken on more special significance now with a street being named in his honour.
"It makes me feel very special and very proud."
"My father had twelve children over a forty year period and I'm his last born.
"Normally a generation of just three fits in to the one century. Dad was born in 1883, I was born in 1951 my daughter was born in 2000, so its three generations span the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries."
