Record crowds mark Close the Gap Day

The gap in life expectancy between indigenous people and other Australians is one of the country's bleakest and saddest statistics.

Figures vary, but the gap is put at between ten and 17 years.

But there is some hope on the horizon, in the form of a decrease in infant mortality.

The annual event has drawn a record number of 60,000 participants, with close to 900 registered events.