Chartered on May 1, 1921, our club is one of the oldest in the State of Georgia. Our membership has shown steady growth over recent years and today numbers over 110 active members.

Beautiful and historic Thomasville, Georgia, is known as "The City of Roses" to visitors from around the world who come to enjoy our pleasant climate and abundant Southern hospitality. We are proud of our quality of life and of the Thomasville Rotary Club's contribution to the distinctive character of our community.

Having celebrated our 80th Anniversary in 2001, the Thomasville Rotary Club has a rich and proud history. For example, our club has had three District Governors, a disproportionately high number from a club and community of our size. Mr. Robert Jinright, Mr. Pratt Secrest and Mr. Will Watt are Thomasville Rotarians who have served as Governors for District 6900.

Our club also has the distinction of having founded the Georgia Rotary Student Program. Founded in 1946 by Thomasville Rotarian, Will Watt, GRSP sponsors students from around the world for academic studies at Georgia colleges and universities. Over 2500 students have participated in GRSP. In the current year, GRSP sponsors more than 80 students from nearly 35 countries and operates with a budget of almost three-quarters of a million dollars. The Thomasville Rotary Club has participated in GRSP every year since its inception.

As is true for most of life's truly worthy pursuits, Rotary's success is directly correlated with the effort and commitment of people who call themselves Rotarians. That success is often fueled by a sense of duty, honor and tradition instilled in us by the memory of those who have gone before us and who practiced service above self as a way of life. The Thomasville Rotary Club is inspired by the memory of one of its most beloved members, Mr. William Augustin Watt.

Will Watt, who was Mayor of Thomasville at the end of World War II in 1945, responded to the call of General Eisenhower to adopt a German town of comparable size -- to share our food and clothing with fellow human beings who were struggling to survive one of the coldest winters on record in a war-torn country. Under Mayor Will's direction, a plane load of supplies and relief goods was flown by the United States Army to Luneberg in the north of Germany.

In his lifetime, Will Watt was singled out for his brave leadership and his tireless service. He was eventually made an honorary citizen of Luneberg (one of only two people so honored in 1,200 years), and he was decorated and knighted by the King of Norway. We add our special tribute here to the honor of this great man and great Rotarian.

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