AIEF founder Andrew Penfold appointed AM

ANDREW Penfold reckons he has already received his reward: the privilege of waking up inspired every day.

AIEF founder a facilitator of change

ANDREW Penfold knew the idea of providing school and university scholarships to indigenous children could work on a massive scale, if only he could find the money.

So, he did both.

The creator of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation has become known in the education sector as a man who makes things happen, a facilitator.

Mr Penfold, who has been appointed to the Member of the Order of Australia this Australia Day, said the honour made him realise the privilege he had in changing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lives.

"Awards I've always been a bit ambivalent about; I'm a much more nuts and bolts and getting things done person," he said.

"But then when you actually receive one like this it makes you realise what a great honour it is and it's very humbling.

"Every day I'm really privileged to see the benefits of our work, when we see what students are achieving at school, at university and in their careers.

"When we speak to families and mothers and parents who remind us how much of a difference it has made in the lives of children. I'm one of the very, very few Australians who has the privilege of being completely inspired every day I get up."

The AIEF set out to educate 2000 indigenous students, raising $40 million in the years since it was founded in 2007. It has since doubled that amount of money and plans are in place to raise $60 million more, educating 7000 students.

Mr Penfold wants the government to go half-in with private companies on that goal.