Edmund Resch

Edmund Resch
Born	Template:Birth date Hörde, Westphalia, Prussia
Died	May 22, 1923(1923-05-22) (aged 75)
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, brewer
Known for	Founder of Resch's Limited brewing company

Edmund Resch (born 9 June 1847 – died 22 May 1923) was a German-Australian entrepreneur in the brewing industry, recognized for establishing and managing the prominent brewing enterprise Resch's Limited, which is currently associated with the Resch's beer label.

Early years

Edmund Resch was born in Hörde, Westphalia, Prussia, to Johann Nicolaus Resch, who worked as an ironmaster. At 16 years old, in 1863, Edmund emigrated to Australia, reportedly to evade compulsory military service. Initially, he was employed as a miner in Victoria and in rural areas of New South Wales. Later, he operated a hotel located in Charters Towers, Queensland. Around 1877, together with a brother, he acquired a factory producing cordial and aerated water in Wilcannia, NSW. In 1883, they purchased the Lion Brewery situated in Cootamundra and expanded operations to Silverton and Tibooburra; however, their partnership ended in 1885. Edmund retained ownership of the Wilcannia business and relocated to Melbourne by 1892.

By 1895, Resch assumed the managerial role at Allt's Brewing & Wine and Spirit Co. Ltd in Sydney and subsequently bought the company in 1897. In 1900, he purchased the competing NSW Lager Bier Brewing Co. Ltd, merging activities at their Dowling Street facility in Redfern while continuing to use the Waverley Brewery name. To oversee his expanding brewing ventures, he established Resch's Limited as a corporate entity in 1906. Additionally, from 1903 until 1913, Resch served as the Dutch consul based in Sydney.

In 1913, after sustaining an injury at sea that resulted in partial blindness, Resch traveled to Germany for medical care but was compelled to leave abruptly following the outbreak of World War I due to fears of internment. Although he donated more than £3000 toward Australia's war efforts and provided financial support to employees who enlisted, he was detained at Holsworthy Internment Camp in 1917 under directives from Defence Minister George Pearce targeting German nationals engaged in business. Owing to declining health, he was later placed under house arrest at his residence in Darling Point until the conclusion of the war. During this time frame, management of the company was handled by his sons Edmund and Arnold.

Edmund Resch passed away in 1923 leaving an estate valued at £316,829. His sons inherited the business; however, it ultimately failed in 1929 and was taken over by Tooth & Co.. In recognition of his service, he was appointed a member of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 1913. The family residence known as Swifts, which he owned from 1899 until his death, is now included on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.