The first anniversary of the National Apology to the stolen generations and other Indigenous Australians passed with little fanfare last week.
The muted recognition of the anniversary was undoubtedly partly due to the tragic bushfires in Victoria, which continue, understandably, to monopolise the country's attention and emotional energy.
But the lack of major celebrations may also reflect the fact that the momentous event of February 2008 has not been followed up by significant developments in Indigenous affairs.
Despite the widespread, though by no means unanimous, approval of the Labor Government's move to make the Apology its first Parliamentary action, no one would have expected that much measurable improvement would occur quickly. Although the Apology was important, its immediate effects were symbolic and psychological, rather than material.
In her 2008–9 Budget Statement, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, undertook to implement policies that would 'close the gap' between Indigenous and non-Indigenous in 'living standards, life expectancy and education, health and employment'.
These gaps are chasms, Most people who know about the conditions prevailing among much of the Indigenous population understand that measurable results will take time. Many of those who feel Australia has an obligation to right wrongs, however, feel widespread impatience and disappointment.
Some blame 'welfarism' and dependency, argue that the Government should adopt a tough love' solution, or locate in the private sector Indigenous Australians' best hope.
Others argue that the complex and seemingly intractable problems that beset Indigenous Australians require acknowledgement of historical abuses, of continuing social exclusion and of systemic inequality. They also require a suite of responses, including ensuring that Australia's Indigenous citizens enjoy equal rights.
Labor's continuation of many of the measures adopted by Howard's intervention is contentious. Vocal opponents in Alice Springs, Yuendumu, Katherine and the Top End are challenging the measures.
Others adopt the 'stop whinging and get on with your life' position. They feel Aboriginal people should now stop expecting the state to do things for them.
This view is reminiscent of calls by some people in the US for black Americans to acknowledge that, with the election of Obama, racism is dead. So they should take responsibility for their own conditions, despite glaring evidence of the enduring effects of their past subjugation and exclusion.
In both cases, the success of a visible few is used as a stick to beat the many for their enduring disadvantage. Sometimes the successful join the detractors in vilifying their less fortunate kindred.
Unquestionably many successful Indigenous people are to be found in academia, public service, business, the arts and the professions. Some share the frustration and impatience of other Australians who believe it's time for Aboriginal people to move on, to take responsibility for their destinies, to stop being victims.
But success in a competitive environment is never attained single-handed. Even a cursory examination of the people our society deems successful shows that they had varying degrees of advantage.
Perhaps the most potent form of advantage is to be born into successful families with the means, motivation and models to attain high goals. For many Indigenous Australians, these advantages do not exist. They must find alternative pathways to what society deems success.
The health gap which government intends to close is emblematic of the size of the challenge. The health of the Indigenous population is woeful. To close that gap requires not only improved medical services, but that we find ways to undo inter-generational health problems such as the impact of poor nutrition on maternal health and on the vital organs, growth and development and immune systems.
Another gap, which Minister Macklin does not mention, is the lack of knowledge, understanding and trust between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
During the week of the anniversary of the National Apology, Reconciliation Australia released the results of a survey conducted in mid-2008. A large sample of Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians took part in the survey, which among other things examined the two groups' attitudes to each other.
Despite many shared values, the survey found low levels of trust from each groups towards members of the other. This finding, after years of efforts by organisations like Reconciliation Australia, and by high profile individuals from each group, points to a need for much effort, on many fronts, for the foreseeable future.
Let us hope that by the 10th anniversary there will be much to celebrate, with many significant milestones reached between now and then.
Dr Myrna Tonkinson is an honourary research fellow in anthropology in the School of Social and Cultural Studies at the University of Western Australia who has done research among Aboriginal people in the Western Desert of WA since 1974.