Frankie Sutton
@hellostranger365.bsky.social
Author of 'A Hitchhiker's Guide to Life' & 'When Asia Was Wild' (soon). Now talking to one stranger every day in 2025. Because in a world of screens, real connection matters. Substack: @hellostranger365
Instagram: @a_hitchhikkers_guide_to_life
Instagram: @a_hitchhikkers_guide_to_life
3 hours at hospital because NO ONE could read my surgeon's handwriting. My daughter in London deciphered it remotely! It's 2025—where's the speech-to-text? Formal complaint: sent ✓ #DoctorsHandwriting #HealthcareFail
March 16, 2025 at 6:03 AM
3 hours at hospital because NO ONE could read my surgeon's handwriting. My daughter in London deciphered it remotely! It's 2025—where's the speech-to-text? Formal complaint: sent ✓ #DoctorsHandwriting #HealthcareFail
Lunch at Fairfield Boathouse involved Vietnamese tourists, a philosophical nurse, and a white-tailed spider bite that could have been serious if not for a stranger at U3A who circled my bite with a pen. S🕷️❤️ #MelbourneStories
March 11, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Lunch at Fairfield Boathouse involved Vietnamese tourists, a philosophical nurse, and a white-tailed spider bite that could have been serious if not for a stranger at U3A who circled my bite with a pen. S🕷️❤️ #MelbourneStories
Attended my first Greens campaign workshop. Deeply moved by Sonya Semmens' speech on "ubuntu" - "I am because we are." Such a perfect philosophy for ecological sustainability, grassroots democracy, and social justice. The young volunteers were inspiring! Politics with heart. #UbuntuPolitics #Greens
March 10, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Attended my first Greens campaign workshop. Deeply moved by Sonya Semmens' speech on "ubuntu" - "I am because we are." Such a perfect philosophy for ecological sustainability, grassroots democracy, and social justice. The young volunteers were inspiring! Politics with heart. #UbuntuPolitics #Greens
Two structures in Ripponlea caught my eye today: a Holocaust memorial I've passed countless times without noticing, and across from it, a synagogue rebuilding after being firebombed months ago. Yesterday's memory, today's wounds—both asking us to pay attention. #HelloStranger365
#NeverForget
#NeverForget
March 8, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Two structures in Ripponlea caught my eye today: a Holocaust memorial I've passed countless times without noticing, and across from it, a synagogue rebuilding after being firebombed months ago. Yesterday's memory, today's wounds—both asking us to pay attention. #HelloStranger365
#NeverForget
#NeverForget
Letterboxing for the Greens in Balaclava led me to All Things Equal café - where 50% of staff have disabilities & all get full wages! Met Harry whose son created it for his autistic granddaughter. Delicious smoothies, bright atmosphere & true inclusion in action. #HelloStranger365 #AllThingsEqual
March 8, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Letterboxing for the Greens in Balaclava led me to All Things Equal café - where 50% of staff have disabilities & all get full wages! Met Harry whose son created it for his autistic granddaughter. Delicious smoothies, bright atmosphere & true inclusion in action. #HelloStranger365 #AllThingsEqual
Letterboxing for the Greens in Balaclava led me to All Things Equal café - where 50% of staff have disabilities & all get full wages! Met Harry whose son created it for his autistic granddaughter. Delicious smoothies, bright atmosphere & true inclusion in action. #HelloStranger365 #AllThingsEqual
March 7, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Letterboxing for the Greens in Balaclava led me to All Things Equal café - where 50% of staff have disabilities & all get full wages! Met Harry whose son created it for his autistic granddaughter. Delicious smoothies, bright atmosphere & true inclusion in action. #HelloStranger365 #AllThingsEqual
Met a surprising ally after our climate protest: Paul Murphy, Eureka Stockade descendant. He shared their oath: "We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other and fight to defend our rights and liberties. From Eureka to climate action, the fight continues. #HelloStranger365
March 6, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Met a surprising ally after our climate protest: Paul Murphy, Eureka Stockade descendant. He shared their oath: "We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other and fight to defend our rights and liberties. From Eureka to climate action, the fight continues. #HelloStranger365
"A mother's place is in the rebellion."
Engineer Janine O'Keefe at Federation Square yesterday: "The opposite of despair is not hope, it is courage."
Scientists aren't just worried—they're terrified by the data.
Join @mothersrebellionvic
#MothersRebellion #ClimateAction
Engineer Janine O'Keefe at Federation Square yesterday: "The opposite of despair is not hope, it is courage."
Scientists aren't just worried—they're terrified by the data.
Join @mothersrebellionvic
#MothersRebellion #ClimateAction
March 5, 2025 at 1:22 AM
"A mother's place is in the rebellion."
Engineer Janine O'Keefe at Federation Square yesterday: "The opposite of despair is not hope, it is courage."
Scientists aren't just worried—they're terrified by the data.
Join @mothersrebellionvic
#MothersRebellion #ClimateAction
Engineer Janine O'Keefe at Federation Square yesterday: "The opposite of despair is not hope, it is courage."
Scientists aren't just worried—they're terrified by the data.
Join @mothersrebellionvic
#MothersRebellion #ClimateAction
"A mother's place is in the rebellion."
Engineer Janine O'Keefe at Federation Square yesterday: "The opposite of despair is not hope, it is courage."
Scientists aren't just worried—they're terrified by the data.
Join @mothersrebellionvic
#MothersRebellion #ClimateAction
Engineer Janine O'Keefe at Federation Square yesterday: "The opposite of despair is not hope, it is courage."
Scientists aren't just worried—they're terrified by the data.
Join @mothersrebellionvic
#MothersRebellion #ClimateAction
March 5, 2025 at 1:09 AM
"A mother's place is in the rebellion."
Engineer Janine O'Keefe at Federation Square yesterday: "The opposite of despair is not hope, it is courage."
Scientists aren't just worried—they're terrified by the data.
Join @mothersrebellionvic
#MothersRebellion #ClimateAction
Engineer Janine O'Keefe at Federation Square yesterday: "The opposite of despair is not hope, it is courage."
Scientists aren't just worried—they're terrified by the data.
Join @mothersrebellionvic
#MothersRebellion #ClimateAction
Met Spearo on Swanston St—stolen at 6 months, survived 19 yrs in Nazareth House. He showed me his tattoo, changed from "JC" to "CJ" for Country Justice. When he got $150k compensation, he gave it all to his kids. Some stories change how you see everything. #StolenGenerations #Truth #FirstNations 🖤💛❤️
March 3, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Met Spearo on Swanston St—stolen at 6 months, survived 19 yrs in Nazareth House. He showed me his tattoo, changed from "JC" to "CJ" for Country Justice. When he got $150k compensation, he gave it all to his kids. Some stories change how you see everything. #StolenGenerations #Truth #FirstNations 🖤💛❤️
28 Feb. Met the legendary Bob Brown at St Kilda town hall last night! Amazing to speak with the Franklin River defender and Australian Greens founder. His environmental passion continues to inspire. A true pioneer who transformed activism into political change. #BobBrown #AustralianGreens
March 2, 2025 at 9:43 PM
28 Feb. Met the legendary Bob Brown at St Kilda town hall last night! Amazing to speak with the Franklin River defender and Australian Greens founder. His environmental passion continues to inspire. A true pioneer who transformed activism into political change. #BobBrown #AustralianGreens
At Immigration Museum, whispered art confessions with a woman: "Kusama's exhibition? More Instagram trap than art!" We laughed at our shared heresy. Later, an elderly woman seeing me struggle with AR: "I'm bringing my 11-year-old twins tomorrow—they'll have it working in seconds!" 🎨👵🏼📱 #MuseumTalks
February 27, 2025 at 11:37 PM
At Immigration Museum, whispered art confessions with a woman: "Kusama's exhibition? More Instagram trap than art!" We laughed at our shared heresy. Later, an elderly woman seeing me struggle with AR: "I'm bringing my 11-year-old twins tomorrow—they'll have it working in seconds!" 🎨👵🏼📱 #MuseumTalks
Met a retired anaesthetist who now preserves plant specimens at our Botanical Gardens 🌿 From operating rooms to herbarium sheets, still practicing the art of preservation. His specimens travel to seed banks in Sussex & even the Arctic vault! Such joy in his second act 🌱 #HelloStranger
February 27, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Met a retired anaesthetist who now preserves plant specimens at our Botanical Gardens 🌿 From operating rooms to herbarium sheets, still practicing the art of preservation. His specimens travel to seed banks in Sussex & even the Arctic vault! Such joy in his second act 🌱 #HelloStranger
📍Ian Potter Children's Garden: A 10yo ninja climbing bamboo "easy, been doing it since forever!", grandpa watching his girl splash in fountains, twins exploring every corner, and a tiny 6mo meeting nature for the first time. Pure magic in this garden. #HelloStranger365
February 25, 2025 at 11:06 PM
📍Ian Potter Children's Garden: A 10yo ninja climbing bamboo "easy, been doing it since forever!", grandpa watching his girl splash in fountains, twins exploring every corner, and a tiny 6mo meeting nature for the first time. Pure magic in this garden. #HelloStranger365
Two girls throwing pinecones through the Turkish-Australian Memorial. Almost said "stop!" until mum explained: "throwing seeds of friendship" 🌱Sometimes you need a child to show you a memorial isn't just about the past, but hope for the future ✨
#hellostranger274 #melbourne
#hellostranger274 #melbourne
February 24, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Two girls throwing pinecones through the Turkish-Australian Memorial. Almost said "stop!" until mum explained: "throwing seeds of friendship" 🌱Sometimes you need a child to show you a memorial isn't just about the past, but hope for the future ✨
#hellostranger274 #melbourne
#hellostranger274 #melbourne
🫐 Empty açai shop. Just me & the cashier. My joke about Sydney's "açai wars" falls flat when she tells me about last night's firebombing here in Melbourne. Strange city we live in - smoothie bowls & gang violence, health trends & tobacco wars, all swirling together in our streets. #HelloStranger 🔥
February 22, 2025 at 11:41 PM
🫐 Empty açai shop. Just me & the cashier. My joke about Sydney's "açai wars" falls flat when she tells me about last night's firebombing here in Melbourne. Strange city we live in - smoothie bowls & gang violence, health trends & tobacco wars, all swirling together in our streets. #HelloStranger 🔥
🎙️ Had the joy of chatting with @michelleneeling for "Oblivious Witness" in Bali! We explored life, travel, and finding home everywhere while keeping our wings spread. Recorded at @bumikinarubud (yes, I arrived on a Gojek with my silver hair flowing! 😄)
michelleneeling.substack.com/p/putting-do...
michelleneeling.substack.com/p/putting-do...
"Putting down roots doesn't mean giving up wings."
Frankie Sutton speaks to us about the basic goodness of people across the globe, about the value of human connection, and about the importance of protecting the planet that's home to us all
michelleneeling.substack.com
February 21, 2025 at 11:42 PM
🎙️ Had the joy of chatting with @michelleneeling for "Oblivious Witness" in Bali! We explored life, travel, and finding home everywhere while keeping our wings spread. Recorded at @bumikinarubud (yes, I arrived on a Gojek with my silver hair flowing! 😄)
michelleneeling.substack.com/p/putting-do...
michelleneeling.substack.com/p/putting-do...
At Heart of Carlton cafe, damaged windows from overnight vandalism couldn't dim the warmth inside. A blackboard asks 'love thy enemy' while they serve $5 meals, keeping doors open for everyone. Some spaces transcend business—they're anchors of community. ✨
#MelbourneCafes
#HeartOfCarlton
#MelbourneCafes
#HeartOfCarlton
February 21, 2025 at 1:31 AM
At Heart of Carlton cafe, damaged windows from overnight vandalism couldn't dim the warmth inside. A blackboard asks 'love thy enemy' while they serve $5 meals, keeping doors open for everyone. Some spaces transcend business—they're anchors of community. ✨
#MelbourneCafes
#HeartOfCarlton
#MelbourneCafes
#HeartOfCarlton
📚❄️ Found something unexpected at Kathleen Syme Library - a freezer of free meals! Anyone can take 2 meals, no questions asked. Love how this peaceful community hub tackles food insecurity while keeping it simple and dignified. Melbourne gets it right 🙌 #CommunitySupport
February 21, 2025 at 1:11 AM
📚❄️ Found something unexpected at Kathleen Syme Library - a freezer of free meals! Anyone can take 2 meals, no questions asked. Love how this peaceful community hub tackles food insecurity while keeping it simple and dignified. Melbourne gets it right 🙌 #CommunitySupport
☕️ Sharing newspapers at a communal table, a headline about teen crime sparked an unexpected heart-to-heart with a stranger. We talked about families, society's challenges, and our hopes for Melbourne's future. Sometimes the deepest connections start with a shared head shake. #MelbourneMoments
February 21, 2025 at 1:10 AM
☕️ Sharing newspapers at a communal table, a headline about teen crime sparked an unexpected heart-to-heart with a stranger. We talked about families, society's challenges, and our hopes for Melbourne's future. Sometimes the deepest connections start with a shared head shake. #MelbourneMoments
🚃 On tram: Two support workers - one Brit, one Aussie - comparing care systems. "In the UK everything was rigid. Here with NDIS, clients have more choice - they can use hours for swimming or social activities if they want." Different systems, different freedoms. 🌏
#CareSystems #Melbourne
#CareSystems #Melbourne
February 17, 2025 at 10:42 PM
🚃 On tram: Two support workers - one Brit, one Aussie - comparing care systems. "In the UK everything was rigid. Here with NDIS, clients have more choice - they can use hours for swimming or social activities if they want." Different systems, different freedoms. 🌏
#CareSystems #Melbourne
#CareSystems #Melbourne
👋 At Elwood cafe, I mishear a dog's name "Fargo" as "Bugger" - sparking tales of how that word once got workers fired! His owner & I share rental crisis stories over ☕️, agreeing: in this market, giving up a secure flat wouldn't make bugger all sense! 🏠 #HelloStranger #MelbourneLife #ArloElwood
February 16, 2025 at 10:14 PM
👋 At Elwood cafe, I mishear a dog's name "Fargo" as "Bugger" - sparking tales of how that word once got workers fired! His owner & I share rental crisis stories over ☕️, agreeing: in this market, giving up a secure flat wouldn't make bugger all sense! 🏠 #HelloStranger #MelbourneLife #ArloElwood
14 Feb. Valentine's evening: A queue of flower-buyers on Swanston St. Last in line, young man with yellow roses "trying something different." Asked if young people still believe in love. His reply? "You really do have to believe in something these days, don't you?" ✨ 🌹 #TheArtOfHello #HopeInTheCity
February 16, 2025 at 2:54 AM
14 Feb. Valentine's evening: A queue of flower-buyers on Swanston St. Last in line, young man with yellow roses "trying something different." Asked if young people still believe in love. His reply? "You really do have to believe in something these days, don't you?" ✨ 🌹 #TheArtOfHello #HopeInTheCity
Met Jillian, 86, at U3A today 👋 Started modeling at 16, joined U3A at 80 to keep learning 📚 Just applied for a new modeling job - they wanted "someone old and fun!" From funeral to photo shoot, she embodies aging with style & spirit ✨ #TheArtOfHello #LifelongLearning
#Universityofthethirdage
#Universityofthethirdage
February 16, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Met Jillian, 86, at U3A today 👋 Started modeling at 16, joined U3A at 80 to keep learning 📚 Just applied for a new modeling job - they wanted "someone old and fun!" From funeral to photo shoot, she embodies aging with style & spirit ✨ #TheArtOfHello #LifelongLearning
#Universityofthethirdage
#Universityofthethirdage
Feb 13 🍺 Pre-U3A meeting chat at Heroes turned fascinating! Bartender's texture preferences led us down a rabbit hole of sensory experiences - from ASMR to mukbang to synesthesia. Amazing how a simple chat about breakfast can unveil the beautiful diversity of human perception 🧠✨ #HeroesStKilda
February 13, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Feb 13 🍺 Pre-U3A meeting chat at Heroes turned fascinating! Bartender's texture preferences led us down a rabbit hole of sensory experiences - from ASMR to mukbang to synesthesia. Amazing how a simple chat about breakfast can unveil the beautiful diversity of human perception 🧠✨ #HeroesStKilda