Yap calls time at Rosewarne’s Kadina

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AN icon of car dealing on Yorke Peninsula, Rosewarne’s Kadina sales manager David “Yap” O’Leary will retire at the end of 2025, marking the end of a 42-year career in the motor trade.

Mr O’Leary said the industry had changed significantly since he first began selling cars.

“The advancements in car technology over the years have been remarkable, with modern vehicles offering features that would have once seemed unimaginable,” he said.

“People tend to use technology now with buying a car, emailing around dealerships and researching each vehicle.

“I love when older generations come in, I love talking to the customer, it is a big positive.”

Mr O’Leary said the role had offered him valuable flexibility, but it was the people that made the job truly rewarding.

“I learnt to read behaviour patterns over time, when people are standing off and when they are wanting to buy, I just worked out what works.

“The people make the job enjoyable, both the staff and our loyal customers; at the heart, that is what it is all about — people.”

“We don’t sell the cars, you buy them.”

Some of his favourite things in recent years have been selling cars to the grandchildren of some of his first customers, seeing three generations of families grow through his role.

Dealer principal Tom Rosewarne said it had been a privilege to have Dave as part of the Rosewarne’s team for 42 years — 20 of those working alongside him personally.

“He has been great for not only me but the whole team, I learnt from Dave and it has been great to have him as part of our team for so long,” Mr Rosewarne said.

“His loyalty and honesty have gone a long way and we are very thankful to have had him here for so long.”

Mr Rosewarne said Mr O’Leary’s drive for results had been key to his long-standing success in the industry.

“Dave has given so much to our family business and we thank him for all his fantastic hard work over 42 years.

“The place will certainly be a lot quieter without Yap around.”

Former dealer principal David Rosewarne, who was part of the team when Mr O’Leary joined in 1983, said he had been a tremendous asset to the business and a pleasure to work with every day.

“His 42 years says a lot about who he is as a person, being a loyal employee for a long time,” Mr Rosewarne said.

“I want to thank him for all his service and loyalty across 42 amazing years with us, and all he has done for our family business. 

“He has always been an integral part of what we do and we wish him all the best in retirement.”

As for Mr O’Leary, his retirement plans are modest but enjoyable.

“Lots of golf, fishing, some travel, a bit of house maintenance — not much planned, but enough to keep busy,” he said.