To most people, graveyards are spooky places that give them the creeps, conjuring visions of wolves howling at the moon, vampires behind tombstones and roaming zombies.

That may be the case in Hollywood movies, but not at the Linwood Cemetery.

In the words of one visitor, it is a “grey, old and rundown place” where vandals, rather than vampires, roam free.

In an effort to counter this, the Linwood Cemetery Working Party, with help from Year 7 (Form I) students from Linwood Intermediate, is working to put a new twist on the old style. They are transforming an old cemetery into. . . an old cemetery.

Rather than modernising, the workers are restoring it. It is hard work reassembling more than 120 tombstones. Many are like jigsaw puzzles, while others lie toppled. Local people, however, agree the place is looking much better.

So far the Linwood Intermediate volunteers have planted about 250 plants on the southern boundary while local people have pitched in with the working party to cope with the heavy work.

The City Council has voted $100,000 for the restoration work. Among the projects are new gates on the main Butterfield Avenue entrance, which will soon be installed, new borders and the reassembled tombstones and plantings. Also to be done is the reinstallation of a section of old tram track that now lies covered by asphalt under the main driveway.

One local says the place is “recovering its dignity”, a prospect he thought was impossible. Others say they are pleased it is being restored and that the cemetery’s heritage values are being kept.

This is also important to the working party members, who are keen to restore and retain its natural feel. They say it might not be a great picnic spot, but it will be a good place to visit for a quiet walk.

The famous and not-so-famous identities buried there can rest with some dignity. All that’s needed is no more vandals and a few more people to look after their eternal beds.

You never know, you might be buried there one day so isn’t it nice to know someone cares?

• This story was researched and written by Paul Findlay, a Linwood High School media studies student who volunteers at the Linwood Resource Centre.