Our History

Celebrating 125 years

J.H. Rosewarne Pty. Ltd. trading as Rosewarne's of Kadina was originally established on it's current site by John Henry Rosewarne in 1882 as a general blacksmith and wheelwright business.

Son of a migrant Cornish miner, John Henry's company has become widely known throughout South Australia over the last 125 years, initially as a maker of farm machinery and horse-drawn vehicles but primarily as a motor vehicle dealer and repairer, selling their first motor car in 1903.

Rosewarne's proudly claims, and is led to believe to be, the oldest General Motors dealer in the world, still operating from the same site, bearing the same name and under the ownership of the same family. The company ranks as one of South Australia's oldest family businesses and was recognised as such at The Family Business Association AGM in 2002.

This long involvement with the transportation industry - from horse-drawn buggy of yesteryear to the modern technologically advanced motor vehicles of today - shows Rosewarne's of Kadina to have had proven success in vehicle sales and of vehicle service and repairs over many years.

David Rosewarne is the fourth generation Rosewarne to direct the company. His eldest son, Tom, is following hottly on his heels and is already establishing himself as the fifth generation and as an important member of the workforce.

The present day finds the company as a successful Holden and Hyundai dealership, it manages a first-class mechanical workshop and is also the District Office for the Royal Automobile Association of South Australia.

Customer satisfaction is of paramount importance to all of us at Rosewarne's of Kadina and our commitment to customer service is responsible for the proven success of our long-standing business.