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.

For Laurence Hutchins and little Arki, this trip to Fed Square was completely unplanned, Laurence was captivated by the sea of red as he left Flinders Street Station and couldn’t walk away.

Both took their time making their way around the display, pausing to lean down and take a closer look at the poppies and the tributes.

What was your first impression of the poppy display?

I think it’s amazing. They started off with a call for 5000, they got a quarter of a million, and they’re all handmade, it’s just amazing. Just amazing

Did you know about the project?

I knew that the ladies were doing this and I knew that they got to the 5000 but that was the last I heard.

But when I saw it- I came out of Flinders Street Station- it just blew my mind. It was just amazing! Hours and hours of work.

When I came out of Flinders Street Station and I saw all the red I thought, ‘what have they done over there?’ thinking they’ve put a new colour on the steps. It’s not until I had to come and look closer that I realized what it was. It’s just fabulous

I hope in some way that it can be kept.

The poppies will be on display in The Atrium at Federation Square until the 6th May 2015.