THE brainchild of five retired mine workers became a reality at the weekend with the unveiling of the Ipswich and Rosewood Coal Miners Memorial.

The memorial honours the 186 men and boys who lost their lives in coal mines across the region since operations started in 1843.

Ipswich and Rosewood Coal Miners Memorial Trust chairman Beres Evans told the 600-strong crowd who attended the opening on Saturday that it had been a long road to this point.

He said Limestone Park was a fitting location for the memorial and the lasting memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

"We had a dream, no design, no site and no money," he said.

"The wall is a place of reflection and reverence.

"It (the wall) is etched with the image of Saint Barbara - The Patron Saint of Miners.

"Each of the 186 men and boys who made the ultimate sacrifice are represented with a light next to their name."

Retired miner Eric Follett was one of the faces in the crowd at the memorial's unveiling.

Mr Follett worked in mines across the region for nearly five decades with his brothers Colin Follett, Don Follett and their cousin Graham Kelly.

"I first started in the mines when I was fourteen and a half years old," he said.

"The coal used to come up in old wagons and it was my job then to pick the stones out of the coal.

"There were no machines back in those days.

"Everything was done by hand - it was bloody backbreaking work."

Mr Follett said the memorial was a wonderful initiative and a fitting tribute to those who had lost their lives.

He said he knew many men who had perished in the region's coal mines.

"It was a fantastic day and it brought back a lot of memories," Mr Follett said.

"It was sad - but it was also great to catch up with some old comrades."

The youngest person whose name is etched on the wall is 14 years of age and the oldest 66 years of age.