IN MY role at Deakin University, I have been responsible for developing partnerships with institutions in Norway.  

I have had the fortunate opportunity to visit Norway each year since 2007 and have hosted a number of Norwegian visitors in Melbourne. Through that engagement, I have developed some very close friendships.

Last weekend, the history of Norway was changed in the most heinous and brutal way.

Coincidentally, on Sunday, our area hosted 33 Norwegian students and Deakin University staff members on a cultural excursion at the MCG to watch a game of Australian Football between Melbourne and Hawthorn.  

This event had been planned several weeks earlier and was supported by the generosity of the AFL, which provided free general admission tickets through their Community Ticketing Program, and by the generosity of the Hawthorn Football Club, which provided the students with free Hawthorn scarves.  

The excursion included a briefing on Friday afternoon (prior to the bombing and shootings in Norway), to go over the rules of the game and to provide an opportunity for students and staff to get to know each other.  

We were uncertain what sort of numbers we would have on Sunday, so we were very pleasantly surprised that all students who attended the Friday briefing, plus three additional Norwegian students, came to the game.  

However, the mood of the group was understandably, somewhat sombre and contemplative.  Perhaps "in numb shock" is a better description.  

All of them were asked if they had been directly impacted by the tragedy, with most fortunately saying no. Some were unsure as the names of victims had not yet been released.  

One deeply concerned girl I spoke with is from Utøya Island, where the shootings took place, and she was still awaiting further details from her family.  

She had a terrible, sleepless Saturday night but decided to attend the cultural excursion in the hope that an afternoon doing something new and different might help her forget about the situation for a while.  

As we settled into out seats and as the game commenced, slumped shoulders and furrowed brows were replaced with bright attentive eyes and warm smiles.

The gloomy skies that greeted us at the "Entrance Two" meeting spot turned into sunny skies by the start of the second half.  

It was an enjoyable game, the Hawks won, and the students genuinely enjoyed the entire experience.  The mood of the group had undergone a total transformation by the time the final siren sounded, and we’re pretty certain that the girl from Utøya Island experienced the temporary mental peace she was seeking.

Today, I have been writing letters of condolences to my friends and colleagues in Norway with a heavy heart and profound sorrow.  

But I have done so while reflecting on the past weekend, and with some small solace in knowing that even during really dark times, mental peace can sometimes be momentarily captured in unexpected places, including at the MCG during the captivating magic of Australia’s wonderful indigenous game.

The Norwegian students specifically asked me to thank the AFL for their generosity and for providing them with such a wonderful introduction to our great Australian sport.  

We will eventually be publicising this activity on the Deakin website and on the website of our partnership institutions in Norway.  

So on behalf of the Norwegian students and Deakin University, thank you once again AFL for helping to brighten the lives of some highly valued Deakin students who, like the rest of the world, are struggling to comprehend the recent shocking and tragic events in Norway.