The council marked National Families Week by staging a Teddy Bears’ Picnic for babies, toddlers and kindergarten kids as well as their furry friends.

Tallangatta Valley mum Kylie Vanveen took sons Harrison, 4, and Billy, 15 months and they enjoyed lollipops and cakes.

“It was very good, very well organised,” said Ms Vanveen, who moved from Brisbane eight months ago to be closer to her partner’s family.

Towong mayor Mary Fraser said the council was keen to support families by providing maternal and child health services.

“Towong has the second highest rate of breast-feeding in Victoria — 55 per cent of mothers in our shire breast-feed their babies up to six months of age compared with the average of 35 per cent,” Cr Fraser said.

“We are also very pleased with our attendance results for the key ages and stages program — we are achieving almost a 100 per cent strike rate across all key maternal and child visits.

“This is a strong indicator that all of our children are getting the best possible start in life.”