She and her fellow students planted out the cemetery beds with 2,500 flowers they cultivated themselves at school.

The program, now in its third year, has seen thousands of marigolds, petunias, ageratum and salvias planted at the entrance to the cemetery. 

“We had to get a shovel-length apart and then dig a hole into the ground and put them in and bury them and some people used their hands, as I did,” Sarah, 15, said.

“It feels good that you’re helping the community.”

Travis Drinkwater, 15, said the day of planting helped him prepare for work experience. 

Ballarat Cemeteries CEO Annie De Jong said the gardens were a comfort to those who came to remember their loved ones. 

“A bit of colour for people that are visiting their loved ones is really important, so it’s a pleasant environment.”