Whenever you hear people talking about culturally significant buildings in Graz, you can be sure that Max Mayr is involved in some way.

Yet his career began in a quite down to earth manner - the man from the Innviertel was born as the son of a farmer. After an agricultural education he worked hard to get his parents' farm going.

His commitment to editing began with the young people's journal "Die Wende" and this brought about a major change in his life. From 1955 to this day, Max Mayr has devoted himself completely to journalism. Even at the “Wende“ he managed to lead two campaigns to success. However, he has still found time to launch two successful campaigns which were highly acclaimed by the public: with his help, a private aircraft was donated to Bishop Leo Arkfeld of New Guinea, and an educational center was established in the East African diocese of Kerema.

In 1960 Mayr joined the editorial offices of the „Kleinen Zeitung“, where he dedicated himself to the Agricultural Policy and the rural sector, mainly with different large-scale projects. The most well-known being the “Rettet die Grazer Altstadt” (Save the old city centre of Graz) campaign (1972). As early as 1963 Max Mayr was promoted to Head of Services and in 1979 headed the town editorial offices. He was honoured for his journalistic activities with numerous prices and the title of professor.

Since his retirement Max Mayr commits himself to the revival of historical centres. He fought persistently for enhancing the status of Graz to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. At this opportunity Max Mayr received the ring of honor of the provincial capital of Graz.