The eve of the ANZAC Day Centenary saw the vision behind The 5000 Poppies Project brought to life on the steps of Federation Square.

A carpet of poppies in all shapes, sizes and hues of red blanketed the steps in a stunning tribute to the ANZACs. More poppies could be seen on stalks sprouting out of the small patches of green that line the edges of Fed Square.

Through out the day, the crowd of people looking and taking photos didn’t get smaller, it grew as more people were drawn to the stunning red oasis that could be seen from meters up Swanston Street and down St Kilda Road.

Junrach Promthong and Santiago Ocameo Salazar are two international students studying in Melbourne who were drawn in by the stunning red.

Even without the personal connection that many Australians have to the history of the ANZAC’s, both are still moved by the display and the ANZAC spirit that surrounds the square.

What was your first impression?

Santiago: It’s beautiful

Junrach: It’s different from what I’ve seen in my home country [Thailand] and it’s a very nice part of the Australian culture

What do you think of the significance of the poppies?

Santiago: It looks like it represents the blood of the people who died.

Junrach: It’s nice that everyone is interested in it and wants to know what happened and about the poppies.

Santiago: I think it’s great that ANZAC Day a very important day here.