Mr Wariyo, an Oromo who lives in Ascot Vale, migrated from Ethiopia about 10 years ago. Since then he's been a voice for up to 5000 Oromo people in Melbourne.

About five weeks ago, he and four other students of African birth set up the Australian African Students Association at Victoria University in Footscray.

"We need to see some African role models in Australia to help other

Africans integrate with mainstream society. We need to see more African doctors, professors. We need to see some African Australians in every sector."

A club of sorts had existed, but it needed direction and purpose. With the help of university academic staff, Hamza and his colleagues drew up a charter and it now has 45 members.

As the name of the association suggests, they want Australians to be part of it. "We want to teach Australians about Africa and develop academic links with African universities." The association encourages students to take leadership roles immediately, rather than wait until they finish university. Hamza calls it a communal responsibility.

"Different African families come from different backgrounds. Some people come from civil wars and if the parents didn't have opportunities for education their kids are affected. If some people educated themselves after arriving here, they need to help African kids, to educate them through supporting and mentoring them."

African university students can get basic help with the language and writing skills needed at university, and the association can also point them in the right direction for help in other areas of life that throw up complications for Africans, such as seeing a doctor or getting legal advice.

"They all say they have been wanting something like this. For many African background students, English isn't their second language, it's their fourth or fifth language."

But can Hamza see a time soon when African-Australians will be leaders in the broader community?

"Of course. That's my dream."