Five Great Reads: Blake’s extraordinary father, trying to live forever, and Italy’s pasta grannies

Blake Johnston, a writer, surfer and mental health advocate, pictured in Cronulla, Sydney. Photograph: Bec Lorrimer/The Guardian

Happy Saturday, readers. Guardian Australia’s chirpiest time of the year is almost upon us, and our writers, editors and producers have shared their moving and thought-provoking encounters before voting in this year’s bird of the year poll begins on Monday. You can find them here. But first, do read on.

1. The death Blake Johnston didn’t see coming