But the prime pieces of the board have long gone, history has already shown producers were the inevitable losers. The board had some flaws but these were heavily outweighed by the huge contribution it made to farming.
However, from within the ruins that was once the Wool Board there is a small ray of hope that may be the catalyst that captures a little of the past magic.
The disestablishment of the board began in 2000. It had results producers never expected. They found there were no pots of gold, other than the $3.5 million that was coughed up for the McKinsey Report on Wool Board restructuring.
Remember WRONZ, and Garth Carnaby, capless bales, no-tramp presses, wool handling and shearing courses, objective measurement and Sheep Improvement Ltd were some of the ventures the board kick-started.
Then there was Woolnet, an internet selling system that could have matched Trade Me. Where is it now?
In the past, if there was something that could help the wool industry, the board was usually able to underwrite its development. Remember who set up the highly successful Wool Services International.
However, when the disestablishment dust settled and farmers looked around, the shambles was a far cry from what they had naively expected. There had been a wishful belief that from somewhere, someone would have stepped up to the plate and be looking after farmer interests.
The Wool Board didn't die and disappear overnight, in its place was a plethora of companies, some with funky names: Canesis, Ovita, Covita, Tectra, Orico, Paraco, and Disco. Not that many people knew what they were, where they came from and eventually, where they went.
It would seem some must have made money but it wasn't for me or my wool producing mates.
During the last decade since disestablishment, there have been groups of passionate souls who still believed bits of the Wool Board can be restored. These worthy attempts looked and sounded good. Some have failed; others are still works in progress.
The result is somewhat convoluted, with few outside the industry sure who's still breathing.
But talking to those close to the action I'm told the industry is entering a significant period of change. It's not going to be hand holding sessions singing 'if I had a hammer'.
It seems two of the wool entities have made substantial before tax profits, which makes them interesting for those wanting to be part of the action.
One is fighting a take-over bid which is targeting its scouring operation and the other operation needs more wool to satisfy a brand marketing success in the USA.
If the take-over is successful scouring will be faced with a monopoly. It would inevitably result in more greasy wool going to China – something that is already starting to happen.
Some say it will be a huge breakthrough if these two operations can be persuaded to work together.
Reliable track records are a plus: they are already successfully functioning in the marketplace; both have loyal clients and staff.
There's also the issue of trust: the demise of the Wool Board and the way it was disestablished was seen by so many farmers as unforgiveable. Lack of trust is probably why several other organisations seeking farmer support have failed. And there's the critical issue of leadership: yesterday's men will likely result in the opportunity being lost.
So the question is how to remove the egos that appear to be in the way.
